Americans participating in a recent telephone survey on behalf of the government indicate they are satisfied with the current coin denominations and their designs, and the frequency of change of those designs.
Those were some of the conclusions contained in "Public Views on Changing Coin Design," a General Accounting Office report. The 68-page report was released Dec. 17. Copies of the report are available online at the GAO Web site at www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?gao-03-206.
Information in the report came from a national telephone survey and focus group sessions conducted by the Gallup Organization under contract to the GAO. A total of 1,003 adults over the age of 18 responded to the telephone survey. In addition, eight two-hour focus group discussions were held around the country between July and August 2002.
Forty-three questions were asked in the telephone survey ranging from respondents' satisfaction with current denominations of coins and their designs to the frequency of change in coin designs. Participants were also asked why the Sacagawea dollar coin has failed to widely circulate and be used in daily transactions. Also according to the report, most respondents were opposed to the production of a $2 coin.
The report is the result of a mandate from Congress "to review U.S. coin design with particular attention to increasing circulation of the dollar coin."
GAO contracted with the Gallup Organization to survey a representative sample of adults on "various coin design questions, including public preference for coin denominations, coin design features, the frequency of change in coin design, and ways to increase acceptance and use of the new dollar coin."
According to the report, the American public is satisfied with designs. Survey respondents indicated the federal government should wait at least 10 years before changing the designs on a coin.
Draft copies of the report were provided to U.S. Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore and Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill. Fore responded in writing on Nov. 22. There was no comment from the secretary's office; O'Neill resigned Dec. 6.
In her response, Fore said, "Historically, U.S. coinage has represented the values and strengths of our great nation."
The response to the 50 State quarter dollars is indicative of the enthusiasm generated by the "more than 139 million Americans who collect these coins," Fore said. "Many believe that new designs and a policy of periodic redesign would encourage interest in collecting American coinage both inside and outside of the coin collecting hobby, as well as inspire a renewed emphasis on our national character, pride, history and heritage."
Fore said that coinage redesign would give the Mint the "opportunity to spur popular interest in important historical events, and to reemphasize issues of importance to us as a nation."
In addition to being available online, the report can also be requested by writing to U.S. General Accounting Office, 441 G St. N.W., Room LM, Washington, DC 20548, by telephone to (202) 512-6000 and by fax to (202) 512-6061. The first copy is free; additional copies are $2 each. Checks or money orders should be made out to the Superintendent of Documents. Check with the GAO for discounts.
Full coverage of the report appears in the Jan. 6 print edition of Coin World.
