a

GAO

United States General Accounting Office

Report to Congressional Committees

December 2002 U.S. COINS

Public Views on 

Changing Coin Design

GAO-03-206
Overall, the public is satisfied with coin denominations used, coin design

features, and the frequency of changes in coin designs. Although most

people are not using the new dollar coin, a program with a rotating series of

images could significantly increase new dollar coin collection, but only 26

percent said it would increase new dollar coin use. The Gallup Survey

indicated the following:

• Most adults in the continental United States were satisfied with current

coin denominations. Over half of the respondents were opposed to the

use of rounding values in cash transactions to the closest 5-cent interval

to eliminate the need for the penny. Most respondents were opposed to

the production of a 2-dollar coin.

• Most adults were satisfied with current coin designs. Most respondents

said there is the right amount of wording on coins. Survey respondents

were split on whether the actual number of cents should be shown on

coins, such as including the numeral 25 on the quarter.

• Most adults were satisfied with how frequently coin designs are changed.

Most respondents said the government should wait at least 10 years

before changing the design on a coin, but there were some differences

among age groups. Younger respondents were in favor of more frequent

coin design changes, while older respondents favored less frequent

changes. The survey also indicated that most people are interested in the

50 State Quarters Program.

• Most adults are not using the new dollar coin because of familiarity with

the dollar bill, the coin not being widely available, and not wanting to

carry around more coins. Most respondents said they were opposed to

the elimination of the dollar bill to promote the coin’s use, but when

annual government savings of half a billion dollars were mentioned,

most people then favored elimination of the dollar bill.

Responses to Survey Questions on Whether the Mint Should Continue Producing

Certain Coins

U.S. COINS

Public Views on Changing Coin Design

www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-03-206.

To view the full report, including the scope

and methodology, click on the link above.

For more information, contact Bernard L.

Ungar at 202-512-2834 or ungarb@gao.gov.

Highlights of GAO-03-206, a report to the

Senate Subcommittee on Treasury and

General Government and the House

Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal

Service, and General Government,

Senate and House Committees on

Appropriations.

December 2002

The designs on three of the most

common U. S. coins, the penny,

nickel, and dime, have remained

largely unchanged for over 50

years. The 50 State Quarters

Program, involving a set of

recurring designs commemorating

each state, has been credited with

generating renewed interest in the

quarter by collectors and the

public. A recent redesign of the

new dollar coin has also increased

the public’s interest in collecting

the coin, but it is not widely

circulating.

Concerned about the level of public

interest in coins and the circulation

of the dollar coin, Congress

mandated a GAO review of 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

U.S. adults to obtain public views

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. This report also

includes a summary of findings

from focus groups held in four U.S.

cities.
Page i GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Contents

Letter 1

Results in Brief 2

Background 4

Most People Are Satisfied with Current Denominations of Coins 8

Most People Are Satisfied with the Current Design of Coins 14

Most Respondents Are Satisfied with the Frequency of Change in 

Coin Designs 15

 Most People Are Using the Dollar Bill and Not the New Dollar Coin 

and Changing the Dollar Coin’s Design Is Unlikely to Substantially 

Increase Use 18

Agency Comments and Our Evaluation 29

Appendixes

Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology 31

Public Opinion Survey 31

Focus Group Discussions 34

Appendix II: Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin Design and 

Overall Responses 35

Appendix III: Comments from the United States Mint 62

Tables Table 1: Disposition of Sampling Units 32

Figures Figure 1: Percentage of Total Coin Production for Each Circulating 

Coin Produced, FYs 1992 to 2001 5

Figure 2: Number of Years Since Last Coin Redesign for Front of 

Each Circulating Coin Denomination 6

Figure 3: Responses to Survey Questions on Whether the Mint 

Should Continue Producing Certain Coins 9

Figure 4: Responses to Survey Questions on Whether the Mint 

Should Stop Producing Certain Coins 10

Figure 5: Responses to Survey Question on What Respondents Do 

with Pennies When They Receive Them as Change 12

Figure 6: Responses to Survey Question on Whether Respondents 

Favor or Oppose Rounding 13

Figure 7: Responses to Survey Question on How Frequently 

Respondents Think Coin Designs Should Be Changed 16
Contents

Page ii GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 8: Responses to Survey Question on How Long the 

Government Should Wait Before Changing Coin 

Designs 17

Figure 9: Responses to Survey Question on How Often 

Respondents Look to See If They Receive New 

Quarters 18

Figure 10: Results of Survey Question regarding Why Adults Are Not 

Using the New Dollar Coin (Those Who Had Heard of the 

New Dollar Coin) 19

Figure 11: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Adults 

Favor or Oppose Eliminating the Dollar Bill 21

Figure 12: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Adults 

Favor or Oppose Replacing the Dollar Bill with the Dollar 

Coin If It Saved the Government $500 Million Dollars 

Each Year 22

Figure 13: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Features 

of the New Dollar Coin Are Okay As Is or Should Be 

Changed (Those Who Had Possessed the Coin) 23

Figure 14: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Adults 

Would Be More Likely or Less Likely to Use the New 

Dollar Coin for Purchases If It Had a Series of Images 

Over Time 25

Figure 15: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Adults 

Would Be More Likely or Less Likely to Collect the New 

Dollar Coin If It Had a Series of Images Over Time 26

Figure 16: Results of Survey Question regarding the Extent That 

Adults Favor or Oppose the Following Design Themes for 

the New Dollar Coin If It Had a Series of Images Over 

Time 27

Figure 17: Results of Survey Question regarding the Extent That 

Adults Favor or Oppose the Following Design Themes for 

the New Dollar Coin If It Had a Series of Images Over 

Time 28
Page 1 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

United States General Accounting Office

Washington, D.C. 20548

A

December 17, 2002 Letr

The Honorable Byron L. Dorgan

Chairman

The Honorable Ben Nighthorse Campbell

Ranking Minority Member 

Subcommittee on Treasury 

 and General Government

Committee on Appropriations

United States Senate

The Honorable Ernest J. Istook, Jr.

Chairman

The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer

Ranking Minority Member 

Subcommittee on Treasury,

 Postal Service, and General Government

Committee on Appropriations

House of Representatives

Circulating coins serve as a medium of exchange and also symbolize our 

nation’s heritage. In addition, the public’s collection of circulating coins 

generates additional funding for the Treasury. Recent coin redesigns, which 

began in 1999 with the 50 State Quarters Program, and a new dollar coin 

issued in 2000, have brought attention to these circulating coins and 

increased coin collection by the public.1

 The designs for the front of three 

of our most common circulating coins, the penny, nickel, and dime, have 

remained largely unchanged for over 50 years. This report responds to a 

congressional mandate that we conduct a study to identify any changes 

necessary to maximize public interest in and acceptance of U.S. coins and 

achieve a better balance in the numbers of coins of different denominations 

in circulation, with particular attention to increasing the circulation of the 

dollar coin.2

 

As agreed with your offices, our objective was to obtain public opinion 

regarding (1) the denominations of coins used; (2) the design of coins, 

1

P.L. 105-124 authorized the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program and the production of 

a new dollar coin (31 U.S.C. 5112 and notes following).

2

The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2002 (P.L. 107-67).
Page 2 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

including who or what is depicted and the color, size, weight, wording, and 

numerals on coins; (3) the frequency of change in coins design; and (4) 

ways to increase acceptance and use of the new dollar coin.

We contracted with The Gallup Organization, a national public opinion 

research firm, to conduct a poll and to use focus groups to obtain public 

opinion on these issues. Gallup conducted a telephone survey of 1,003 

adults in July and August 2002 and held eight focus groups in four cities in 

July 2002. Appendix I provides further details about our objective, scope, 

and methodology. Overall results for each survey question are provided in 

appendix II.

In addition to reporting overall results, we report the results for some of 

our survey data by demographic subgroups. Data are reported at the 

demographic subgroup level if subgroup differences are relevant, if 

differences in subgroup responses are statistically significant, and if there 

was at least a 10 percentage point difference between these subgroup 

responses. Focus group views are summarized to supplement the overall 

results of the survey; however, focus group views are not statistically 

representative of the U.S. adult population.

We requested comments on a draft of this report from the Secretary of the 

Treasury and the Director of the Mint. The comments we received are 

discussed near the end of this letter and reproduced in appendix III. We did 

our work in Washington, D.C.; Towson, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Seattle, 

Washington; and Detroit, Michigan between January 2002 and December 

2002 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing 

standards. 

Results in Brief The Gallup Survey indicated that most adults in the continental United 

States were satisfied with current coin denominations. At least 97 percent 

of survey respondents thought the government should continue to produce 

the dime, nickel, and quarter. At least 61 percent thought the government 

should continue to produce the penny, 50-cent piece, and new dollar coin. 

Over half of the respondents were opposed to the use of rounding values to 

the closest 5 or 10 cents in cash transactions to eliminate the need for the 

penny. In addition, most respondents were opposed to the production of a 

2-dollar coin.

The survey indicated that most respondents were also satisfied with 

current coin designs. Survey respondents were asked if the design features 
Page 3 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

of coins should be changed, such as who or what is depicted and the color, 

size, and weight. At least 92 percent of survey respondents were satisfied 

with the design features of the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. Although 

the majority of respondents were also satisfied with the design features of 

the 50-cent piece and the new dollar coin, fewer respondents were satisfied 

with these coins than with the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. Ninetythree percent of respondents said there is the right amount of wording on 

coins. Survey respondents were split on whether the actual number of 

cents should be shown on coins.

The survey indicated that most adults in the continental United States were 

satisfied with how frequently coin designs are changed. Sixty-eight percent 

of respondents said that designs should be changed about as frequently as 

they currently are. Respondents who said they were interested in the 50 

State Quarters Program also said they do not avoid receiving the older 

quarters. 

The survey indicated that most respondents are not using the new dollar 

coin; however, a program with a rotating series of images could increase 

dollar coin use somewhat and collection significantly. When respondents 

were asked why they are not using the new dollar coin, 93 percent cited 

familiarity with the dollar bill as a reason. Sixty-four percent of 

respondents are opposed to the elimination of the dollar bill, but the 

number opposed decreased to 37 percent when potential government 

savings were mentioned. Over 80 percent of survey respondents were 

satisfied with aspects of the new dollar coin’s design, although some said 

the coin’s size should be changed. Twenty-six percent of respondents said 

that they would be more likely to use the dollar coin if the design were 

changed with a series of different images over a period of time, similar to 

the 50 State Quarters Program; and 49 percent of respondents said they 

would be more likely to collect the dollar coin with such a program. If the 

new dollar coin were issued with a series of images, the survey 

respondent’s most popular design theme choices were symbols of America, 

historical events, American heroes, and U.S. presidents. Overall results for 

each survey question are provided in appendix II. In commenting on a draft 

of this report, the Director of the Mint said she appreciated our 

comprehensive assessment and that many people believe that periodic coin 

redesign would encourage coin collecting and help emphasize our national 

character, pride, history, and heritage.
Page 4 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Background The United States has six coins for general circulation: the penny, nickel, 

dime, quarter, 50-cent piece, and dollar coin. Other coin denominations that 

were issued in the past and then discontinued include a half-cent, 2- and 3-

cent pieces, a half-dime, a 20-cent piece, and various dollar denominations 

of gold coins. The United States Mint, a bureau of the Department of the 

Treasury, manufactures all coins used in commerce. These coins are 

generally distributed by the Federal Reserve to banks and armored 

carriers. Circulating coin production levels for various denominations are 

driven by demand and the amount of reuse of previously issued coins. The 

Mint and the Federal Reserve monitor several factors, such as economic 

growth, coin collection activity, and Federal Reserve coin inventories, to 

determine the number of coins to produce and ship to the Federal Reserve. 

Of all U.S. circulating coins, the penny is produced in the highest volume. In 

fiscal year 2001, the Mint produced 12.8 billion pennies, 1.7 billion nickels, 

3.1 billion dimes, 5.5 billion quarters, 27 million 50-cent pieces, and 102 

million dollar coins. From fiscal years 1992 to 2001, pennies represented 

about 64 percent of all circulating coins produced in the United States. In 

general, there has been relatively low demand for and production of the 

dollar coin and the 50-cent piece. Mint production of these coins 

represented less than 1 percent of total circulating coin production from 

fiscal years 1992 to 2001. (See fig. 1 for the relative production levels of 

denominations during this period.)
Page 5 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 1: Percentage of Total Coin Production for Each Circulating Coin Produced, 

FYs 1992 to 2001

The law authorizes the circulating coins that are to be produced by the 

Mint, the wording or inscriptions that are to appear on them, and their 

physical characteristics, such as size and weight.3

 The Secretary of the 

Treasury is authorized to change the design of a coin, but the law restricts 

design changes to no more than once every 25 years. 

The age of the designs on the fronts and backs of U.S. circulating coins 

varies by denomination. Some designs, such as the fronts of the penny, 

nickel, and dime, have not changed for over 50 years. In contrast, the dollar 

coin was issued with a new design in 2000, and the quarter began to have a 

series of images commemorating the 50 states in 1999 that continues to 

3

31 U.S.C. 5112.
Page 6 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

2008. Figure 2 shows the number of years since the last redesign of the 

images on the front of coins currently in circulation.

Figure 2: Number of Years Since Last Coin Redesign for Front of Each Circulating 

Coin Denomination

Note: Bicentennial quarters, 50-cent pieces, and Eisenhower dollar coins celebrating the 200th 

anniversary of the Declaration of Independence were issued in 1975 and 1976. The fronts of these 

coins were dated 1776-1976. The back of these coins had a temporary Bicentennial image: on the 

quarter, a Colonial Drummer; on the 50-cent piece, Independence Hall; and on the Eisenhower Dollar, 

an image of the Liberty Bell and the Moon.

a

Under current law, the front of each 50 State Quarter issued from 1999 to 2008 under the 50 State 

Quarters Program retains the image of Washington. However, to make room for images 

commemorating the states on the back of each coin, the inscription “United States of America” and the 

designation of value “Quarter Dollar” were moved to the front of the coin. In addition, the year that the 

coin is minted was moved from the front to the back.
Page 7 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

The first change since 1932 in the quarter’s design was authorized by the 50 

States Commemorative Coin Program Act. The act provides for circulating 

quarters honoring each of the 50 states and authorizes the Mint to issue five 

new quarters each year. For quarters produced under the program from 

1999 to 2008, the front of the quarter will retain the image of George 

Washington, and the back will have a design emblematic of the state it 

commemorates. Officials, citizens, and artists in each state develop designs 

commemorating each state that are to appear on the back of the coin.4

Final selection of each state design is made by the Secretary of the 

Treasury, after consultation with state officials and the Commission of Fine 

Arts, with review by the Citizen’s Commemorative Coin Advisory 

Committee (CCCAC).5

 CCCAC endorsed the 50 State Quarters Program and 

has recommended that Congress authorize other circulating 

commemorative coins. CCCAC has also noted that some coin designs have 

remained unchanged for many years and recommended that new designs 

for U.S. circulating coins be considered. According to a June 2002 public 

opinion poll, about half of adult Americans were collecting the 50 State 

Quarters.6

 Each quarter produced generates $0.21 in profits, or seigniorage, 

for the Mint.7

A redesign of the dollar coin was authorized by the United States $1 Coin 

Act of 1997 to replace the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin. The $1 Coin Act 

required the coin to have a golden color and a distinctive edge and 

authorized the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with Congress, to 

select the design of the new coin. In May 1998, the Secretary established a 

Dollar Coin Advisory Committee to consider alternatives and recommend a 

design concept for the front of the new dollar coin. The final design 

selected was an artist’s rendition of Sacagawea, a Shoshone interpreter 

who assisted the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804–06 to the Pacific 

4

The District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program 

Act, which was agreed to in the House on October 7, 2002, would authorize the Secretary of 

the Treasury to mint and issue, during 2009, redesigned quarter dollars commemorating the 

District of Columbia and the U.S. territories (See H.R. 4005 [107th Congress]).

5

Established in 1993, the CCCAC advises the Secretary of the Treasury on the selection of 

subjects and designs for commemorative coins (31 U.S.C. 5135).

6

Coinstar National Currency Poll, June 2002.

7

Seigniorage is the difference between the face value of a coin and the coin’s cost of 

production. Seigniorage does not directly offset expenditures but can be used to reduce the 

amount of money that must be borrowed from the public to finance the deficit and the 

interest that must be paid on this borrowing.
Page 8 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Ocean. The new dollar coin was first issued to the public in January 2000. 

Public opinion polls show that many people are collecting the new dollar 

coin; however, the coin has not been a popular circulating coin.8

Most People Are 

Satisfied with Current 

Denominations of 

Coins

The Gallup Survey indicated that most adults in the continental United 

States are satisfied with current coin denominations. When asked if the 

Mint should continue or stop producing nickels, dimes, or quarters, at least 

97 percent of the respondents to the Gallup Survey said they should 

continue each of these coins. Less than 3 percent of respondents said that 

the Mint should stop producing nickels, dimes, or quarters. Fewer 

respondents, but still a majority, thought the Mint should continue to 

produce the penny, the 50-cent piece, and the dollar coin. Sixty-four 

percent of respondents said the Mint should continue to produce the 

penny, 61 percent said the Mint should continue to produce the 50-cent 

piece, and 68 percent said the Mint should continue to produce a dollar 

coin. Thirty-three percent of respondents said that the Mint should stop 

producing the penny, 36 percent said the Mint should stop producing the 

50-cent piece, and 28 percent said the Mint should stop producing a dollar 

coin. (See figs. 3 and 4.) 

8

U.S. General Accounting Office, New Dollar Coin: Marketing Campaign Raised Public 

Awareness but Not Widespread Use, GAO-02-896 (Washington, D.C.: Sept. 13, 2002).
Page 9 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 3: Responses to Survey Questions on Whether the Mint Should Continue 

Producing Certain Coins
Page 10 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 4: Responses to Survey Questions on Whether the Mint Should Stop 

Producing Certain Coins 

Some opinions on coin denominations varied according to survey 

respondents’ ages. Younger respondents (ages 18 to 34) were more 

supportive of the production of a dollar coin than older respondents (ages 

65 and above). Seventy-eight percent of respondents ages 18 to 34 said the 

Mint should continue to produce a dollar coin, and 49 percent of 

respondents ages 65 and above were in favor of the production of a dollar 

coin. Twenty percent of respondents ages 18 to 34 said the Mint should stop 

producing a dollar coin, and 46 percent of respondents ages 65 and above 

said the Mint should stop producing a dollar coin. 

Survey respondents ages 55 to 64 were more in favor of the elimination of 

the penny than respondents ages 65 and above. Forty-three percent of 

respondents ages 55 to 64 said the Mint should stop producing the penny. In 

contrast, 18 percent of respondents ages 65 and above said the Mint should 

stop producing the penny.
Page 11 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Over half of all survey respondents were somewhat or strongly opposed to 

the production of a 2-dollar coin. However, older respondents were more 

opposed to a 2-dollar coin than younger respondents were. Forty-four 

percent of respondents ages 18 to 34 were somewhat or strongly opposed 

to the production of a 2-dollar coin, and 71 percent of respondents ages 65 

and above were somewhat or strongly opposed to a 2-dollar coin.

People Are Reluctant to 

Eliminate the Penny and 

Use Rounding for Cash 

Transactions

Sixty-four percent of survey respondents said the Mint should continue to 

produce the penny. Some focus group participants said that the penny is 

useful for paying in exact change and that the penny is an important part of 

U.S. currency and the U.S. economy. However, other focus group 

participants thought the penny should no longer be in circulation. They 

argued that the penny has no value, citing that nothing can be bought for 1 

cent, and that retailers and customers often give pennies away at spare 

penny cups at cash registers. 

The survey results indicated that when people receive pennies, they 

generally do not use them for purchases. Twenty-seven percent of survey 

respondents spend pennies when they receive them as change. However, 58 

percent of survey respondents said that when they receive pennies as 

change, they accumulate or save them in a piggy bank, jar, drawer, or the 

like. (See fig. 5.)
Page 12 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 5: Responses to Survey Question on What Respondents Do with Pennies 

When They Receive Them as Change

More older than younger respondents said they are likely to spend the 

pennies they receive as change. Fourteen percent of survey respondents 

ages 18 to 34 said that they spend the pennies they receive as change. 

Forty-three percent of respondents ages 65 and above said they spend the 

pennies they receive as change. 

Focus group participants discussed varied uses for the penny. Some 

participants said they save pennies in jars. Others said they carry pennies 

to help create exact change for purchases or they put them in spare penny 

cups at cash registers. Some participants said they give pennies to children 

and a few said they throw pennies away.

The survey indicated that over half of adults in the United States somewhat 

or strongly oppose rounding to the closest 5 or 10 cents to eliminate the 

need for the penny. Fifty-six percent of survey respondents somewhat or 
Page 13 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

strongly opposed a proposal to round total purchase prices of cash 

transactions up or down to the nearest 5 or 10 cents. (See fig. 6.) 

Figure 6: Responses to Survey Question on Whether Respondents Favor or Oppose 

Rounding

Note: Percentages do not add up to 100 because “Neither favor nor oppose,” “Don’t know,” and 

“Refused” responses are not included.

When asked about rounding if the government’s cost of producing and 

distributing the penny was more than 1 cent, respondents were more even 

in their answers. Forty-two percent of survey respondents somewhat or 

strongly opposed rounding transactions if it cost the federal government 

more than 1 cent to produce and distribute each penny, and 49 percent 

somewhat or strongly favored rounding. 

Respondents with a college degree or more education were more 

supportive than respondents with a high school degree or less of rounding 

if the government’s cost of producing and distributing the penny was more 

than 1 cent. Thirty-eight percent of respondents with a high school degree 

or less and 60 percent of respondents with a college degree or more were 

somewhat or strongly in favor of rounding. In addition, respondents’ views 

on rounding after hearing about possible costs to the government varied 

according to household income. Forty-three percent of respondents with a 

household income of less than $30,000 were somewhat or strongly in favor 
Page 14 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

of rounding; 66 percent of respondents with a household income of $75,000 

or more were somewhat or strongly in favor of rounding.

Some focus group participants were also reluctant to support rounding. 

Participants were skeptical of the fairness of rounding and worried that 

retailers would find ways to change their pricing scheme so that 

transactions would be rounded up more often than rounded down. They 

understood that it would depend on the total purchase price, including 

taxes, but they still felt that retailers would find a way to make the system 

work in their favor. Some participants were opposed to rounding because 

they felt it would create an increased burden for retail clerks, who would 

be responsible for rounding correctly. However, other participants were in 

favor of rounding. These proponents felt that rounding would make 

transactions easier, make pockets lighter, and lead to greater usage of the 

dollar coin (by eliminating one coin in favor of another).

Most People Are 

Satisfied with the 

Current Design of 

Coins

The survey indicated that most adults in the continental United States are 

satisfied with current coin designs. Respondents were asked if they 

thought any aspect of the design, such as who or what is depicted, color, 

size, and weight of the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter should be changed. 

At least 92 percent of survey respondents thought that the designs did not 

need to be changed. 

Focus group participants were also satisfied with current coin designs. 

They said they were so accustomed to pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters 

that they had no desire to see the features changed. 

Fewer survey respondents were satisfied with the size of the 50-cent piece 

and the new dollar coin than with other coins but, nevertheless, the 

majority of people were still satisfied with the sizes. Seventy-four percent 

of the respondents said that they were satisfied with the size of the 50-cent 

piece, and 67 percent of those respondents who had seen the new dollar 

coin were satisfied with its size. In addition, 72 percent of respondents said 

they were satisfied with the weight of the 50-cent piece. Nearly all focus 

group participants agreed that the new dollar coin should be larger in size 

to make it easier to differentiate from the quarter, in spite of its golden 

color.
Page 15 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Most survey respondents said they were satisfied with the amount of 

wording on U.S. coins. Ninety-three percent said there is “just about the 

right amount of wording.”

Survey respondents differed on whether the actual number of cents should 

be shown on coins. Forty-six percent of respondents somewhat or strongly 

agreed that a numeral indicating how many cents coins are worth should be 

shown on coins, while 35 percent of respondents somewhat or strongly 

disagreed that the actual number of the cents should be shown. 

In contrast, some focus group participants said that it is not necessary to 

have a numeral on coins indicating their value. Some said “we all grew up 

with it and know what they are.” However, there were other participants 

who supported having a numeral on coins. They mentioned that other 

countries have numerals on their coins, and that numerals on coins would 

be helpful for foreigners who are unfamiliar with U.S. currency. 

Most Respondents Are 

Satisfied with the 

Frequency of Change 

in Coin Designs

The survey indicated that most adults in the continental United States were 

satisfied with how frequently coin designs are changed. Sixty-eight percent 

of respondents said that the design of U.S. coins should be changed as 

frequently as they currently are. (See fig. 7.)
Page 16 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 7: Responses to Survey Question on How Frequently Respondents Think 

Coin Designs Should Be Changed

About two-thirds of respondents said the government should wait at least 

10 years before changing the design on a coin. (See fig. 8.) 
Page 17 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 8: Responses to Survey Question on How Long the Government Should Wait 

Before Changing Coin Designs

Note: Percentages do not add up to 100 because “Don’t know” and “Refused” responses are not 

included. 

Survey respondents’ opinions on the frequency of design changes varied by 

age. Younger survey respondents were in favor of more frequent design 

changes, while older respondents favored less frequent changes. Thirty-one 

percent of survey respondents ages 18 to 34 and 9 percent of respondents 

ages 65 and above said the Mint should change the design of coins every 5 

to 9 years. In addition, 24 percent of respondents ages 18 to 34 and 54 

percent of respondents ages 65 and above said that coin designs should be 

changed every 25 years or more.

The survey indicated that many people are interested in the 50 State 

Quarters Program. Sixty-one percent of respondents said that when they 

receive quarters as change, they frequently look on the back of the quarters 

to see if they received one of the new 50 State Quarters. (See fig. 9.)
Page 18 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 9: Responses to Survey Question on How Often Respondents Look to See If 

They Receive New Quarters

Focus group participants also expressed support of the 50 State Quarters 

Program. Participants said they were very satisfied with the program and 

thought it encouraged collection and interest in coins. Despite the 

popularity of the quarter program, 82 percent of the survey respondents 

said they do not try to avoid receiving quarters that were produced before 

the 50 State Quarters Program was introduced. 

 Most People Are Using 

the Dollar Bill and Not 

the New Dollar Coin 

and Changing the 

Dollar Coin’s Design Is 

Unlikely to 

Substantially Increase 

Use

The survey indicated that most people have heard of the new dollar coin, 

but few people are using it. About 70 percent of respondents had heard of 

the new dollar coin. However, only about 5 percent of respondents said 

they had received it as change from a cashier or used it to pay for 

something at a cash register in the past month. Less than 2 percent of 

respondents have used the coin for other purchases such as in vending 

machines, stamp machines, tollbooths, or mass transit in the last month.

Focus group participants said that, rather than use the coin for everyday 

transactions, they were more likely to save the new dollar coin or give it as 

a gift. However, some participants pointed to the advantages of the coin,
Page 19 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

such as its convenience for use in tollbooths, vending machines, and other 

coin-operated purchases.

Though respondents had a number of reasons for not using the new dollar 

coin, familiarity with the dollar bill was the most common. Of those who 

had heard of the new dollar coin, 93 percent of these respondents agreed 

that people are not using the new dollar coin because they are used to 

using the dollar bill. In addition, 81 percent of those who had heard of the 

new dollar coin said the coin not being widely available and 80 percent said 

not wanting to carry around more coins are reasons why the public does 

not use the coin. (See figure 10 for results from various categories.)

Figure 10: Results of Survey Question regarding Why Adults Are Not Using the New 

Dollar Coin (Those Who Had Heard of the New Dollar Coin)
Page 20 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Focus group participants cited many of the same reasons for why they do 

not use the new dollar coin. Participants said that they prefer the dollar bill 

because it is easier to use when paying for transactions. Other participants 

said replacing their dollar bills with dollar coins would mean more weight 

to carry and that the new dollar coin is too similar to the quarter and Susan 

B. Anthony dollar coin. Some participants preferred the dollar coin over the 

dollar bill in vending and other coin-operated machines.

Focus group participants were also asked to come up with ways to increase 

public interest in the new dollar coin. The focus groups responded that the 

government should increase the circulation of the new dollar coin, stop 

circulating the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin and eliminate the dollar bill. 

Many People Are Opposed 

to Eliminating the Dollar 

Bill, but Change Opinion 

When They Hear about the 

Potential Government 

Savings

The survey results indicated that about half of adults would only use the 

new dollar coin if the dollar bill were eliminated; however, most adults 

oppose a decision by the government to replace the dollar bill with the 

dollar coin. When asked if they favored or opposed a decision to stop 

making the dollar bill and replace it with the dollar coin, 64 percent of 

survey respondents said they were opposed. (See fig. 11 for results from 

various categories.) 
Page 21 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 11: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Adults Favor or Oppose 

Eliminating the Dollar Bill

The percentage of survey respondents who opposed replacing the dollar 

bill with a dollar coin decreased when government savings are mentioned. 

When told that it would save about half a billion dollars a year if the U.S. 

government replaced the dollar bill with the dollar coin, the number who 

said they were opposed dropped from 64 percent to 37 percent and those 

who said they were in favor of such a proposal increased from 17 percent 

to 55 percent. (See fig. 12 for results from various categories.)
Page 22 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 12: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Adults Favor or Oppose 

Replacing the Dollar Bill with the Dollar Coin If It Saved the Government $500 Million 

Dollars Each Year

Focus group reactions were mixed when participants heard about potential 

government savings. Some said the savings justified replacing the dollar bill 

with the dollar coin. However, other participants questioned if the savings 

would be put to good use by the government.

Most People Are Satisfied 

with the Current New Dollar 

Coin Design, but a Rotating 

Image Program Could 

Increase New Dollar Coin 

Use Somewhat and 

Collection Significantly

The survey results indicated that most adults who had the new dollar coin 

in their possession were satisfied with its design features. Over 80 percent 

of survey respondents who had possessed the coin were satisfied with 

aspects of the new dollar coin’s design, such as the image on the front and 

back of the coin and its color, thickness, and weight. However, 32 percent 

of respondents who had the coin in their possession said that the size of the 

new dollar coin should be changed. (See fig. 13 for results from various 

categories.)
Page 23 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 13: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Features of the New 

Dollar Coin Are Okay As Is or Should Be Changed (Those Who Had Possessed the 

Coin)
Page 24 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

When asked what could be done differently to get people to use the new 

dollar coin, 37 percent of the survey responses fell into a category of “make 

the coin more available.”

9

 In addition, about 13 percent of the responses 

could be grouped under changes to the physical characteristics of the 

dollar coin such as changes to “make the dollar coin easier to distinguish,”

“make it larger” or “make it smaller,” or “make it lighter in weight.” When 

grouped into categories, some of the open-ended responses seemed to 

conflict with each other. For example, 4 percent of responses on changes 

that might increase the dollar coin’s use could be grouped under “make it 

larger;” however, almost 3 percent of responses could be grouped under 

“make it lighter in weight.” Less than 5 percent of responses to other 

potential changes to increase the dollar coin’s use were grouped under 

“make vending machines accept them,” “give the coin away,” and increase 

the coin’s “awareness and advertising or education.”

Focus group participants’ opinions varied on the design of the new dollar 

coin. Participants’ opinions included suggestions that the coin should be 

larger because the coin is too similar to the quarter and that the coin should 

be thicker and heavier so that it would not be confused with the quarter. 

Other suggestions for design included comments that the golden color of 

the coin is liked, but when the dollar coin tarnishes it loses its luster 

making it less attractive. Some focus group participants also commented 

that they liked the image of Sacagawea on the coin, but others questioned 

why she was chosen for the front of the new dollar coin since many people 

do not know who she was. 

When all survey respondents were asked if they would be more likely to 

use the new dollar coin for purchases if the coin was issued with a series of 

images over a period of time, most respondents said such a program would 

not make a difference. A total of 51 percent of the respondents said it 

would make no difference in their use of the coin, 26 percent said they 

would be more likely to use the coin, and 22 percent said they would be 

less likely to use the coin with a series of images program. (See fig. 14 for 

results from various categories.) 

9

In our report, New Dollar Coin: Marketing Campaign Raised Public Awareness but Not 

Widespread Use, GAO-02-896 (Washington, D.C.: Sept. 13, 2002), we concluded that while 

the Mint could address some of the distribution barriers and make the coin more available, 

this would not necessarily result in increased demand for the coin.
Page 25 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 14: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Adults Would Be More 

Likely or Less Likely to Use the New Dollar Coin for Purchases If It Had a Series of 

Images Over Time

Almost half of the respondents said that they would be more likely to 

collect the new dollar coin if it were issued with a series of different images 

similar to the 50 State Quarters Program. Forty-nine percent of all survey 

respondents said they would be more likely to collect the new dollar coin 

under such a program, 40 percent said it would make no difference, and 10 

percent said they would be less likely to collect the new dollar coin. (See 

fig. 15 for results from various categories.)
Page 26 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 15: Results of Survey Question regarding Whether Adults Would Be More 

Likely or Less Likely to Collect the New Dollar Coin If It Had a Series of Images Over 

Time

Survey respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 said they would be more 

likely to collect the new dollar coin if it were issued with a series of 

different images similar to the 50 State Quarters Program. Fifty-six percent 

of the survey respondents ages 18 to 34 said they would be more likely to 

collect the new dollar coin under such a program compared with 31 

percent of respondents 65 and over. 

Focus group participant reactions were mixed when the proposal for a 

series of recurring images was mentioned as a way to increase use of the 

new dollar coin. Some participants said that the excitement generated by 

such as program would increase their interest in using the dollar coin. 

However, other participants felt that people would only collect 

commemorative circulating dollar coins, and that the dollar coin’s overall 

use would not increase. 

All survey respondents were asked which design themes they would favor 

if the new dollar coin were designed on a recurring basis like the 50 State 

Quarters Program. Survey respondents’ most popular coin design themes 

for such a recurring design program were symbols of America, historical 

events, American heroes, and U.S. presidents. The least popular coin 

design themes were sports and entertainment personalities, social activists, 

and ethnic diversity. (See figs. 16 and 17 for results from various 

categories.) 
Page 27 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 16: Results of Survey Question regarding the Extent That Adults Favor or 

Oppose the Following Design Themes for the New Dollar Coin If It Had a Series of 

Images Over Time

The most popular design themes
Page 28 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Figure 17: Results of Survey Question regarding the Extent That Adults Favor or 

Oppose the Following Design Themes for the New Dollar Coin If It Had a Series of 

Images Over Time

Survey respondents of all age groups were equally supportive of U.S. 

presidents as a design theme. Respondents between the ages of 18 to 34 

were more likely to favor social activists as a design theme for a series of 

recurring designs. Thirty-eight percent of the survey respondents ages 18 to 

34 favored social activists as a design theme compared with 11 percent of 

respondents 65 and over. Respondents who identified themselves as Black 

or African American were more likely to strongly favor ethnic diversity as a 

design theme for a series of recurring designs. Forty percent of those who 

identified themselves as Black or African American strongly favored the 

ethnic diversity design theme compared with 18 percent of respondents 

who identified themselves as White.

When asked their preference for a recurring design theme, focus group 

participants selected American heroes, historical events, and symbols of 

America as their top three choices. Participants were less likely to favor 

other themes, such as U.S. presidents, inventors or scientists, nature or 

wildlife scenes, ethnic diversity, social activists, or sports and 

entertainment personalities.
Page 29 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Focus group participants mentioned specific names, places, and events for 

the most popular design themes. For American heroes they were: Amelia 

Earhart, Albert Einstein, first man on the moon, General Douglas 

MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Jefferson, 

firefighters, teachers, Benjamin Franklin, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, 

Daniel Boone, and Helen Keller. For historical events they were: first 

landing of a man on the moon, Pearl Harbor, Panama Canal, Iwo Jima, 

Wright brothers’ first flight, signing of Declaration of Independence, WWII, 

Korean War, Oklahoma City (memorial), Bunker Hill, Fort McKinley, and 

the Alamo. For Symbols of America they included: Statue of Liberty, the 

Golden Gate Bridge, the Washington Monument, Mt. Rushmore, the Grand 

Canyon, the Capitol Building, the Liberty Bell, and the American flag. 

Participants in one focus group also felt ethnic diversity was an important 

theme to portray on the coins and mentioned Martin Luther King, Jr., 

George Washington Carver, Alaskans, and Puerto Ricans.

Agency Comments and 

Our Evaluation

We provided copies of the draft of this report for comment to the Secretary 

of the Treasury and the Director of the Mint. On November 22, 2002, we 

received written comments from the Director of the Mint, which are 

reprinted in appendix III. The Secretary did not provide comments. 

In commenting on a draft of this report, the Director of the Mint said she 

appreciated our comprehensive assessment and that many people believe 

that periodic coin redesign would encourage coin collecting and help 

emphasize our national character, pride, history, and heritage.

We are sending copies of this report to the Chairmen and Ranking Minority 

Members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; 

the House Committee on Financial Services; the Secretary of the Treasury; 

the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; 

and other interested parties. We also will make copies available to others 

upon request. In addition, the report will be available at no charge on the 

GAO Web site at http://www.gao.gov.
Page 30 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Major contributors to this report were John S. Baldwin, Sr., Brad Dubbs, 

Emily Dolan, Donna Leiss, Susan Michal-Smith, Walter Vance, and Greg 

Wilmoth. If you or your staff have any questions, please contact me on 

(202) 512-2834 or at ungarb@gao.gov.

Bernard L. Ungar

Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues
Page 31 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Appendix I

Objectives, Scope, and Methodology ApApenednxidexiIs

This report responds to a Congressional mandate that we conduct a study 

and identify any changes to maximize public interest and acceptance in 

U.S. coins, with particular attention to increasing circulation of the dollar 

coin.10 Our objectives were to assess U.S. public opinion regarding (1) the 

denominations of coins used; (2) the design of coins including who or what 

is depicted, color, size, and weight of coins; (3) the frequency of change in 

coins’ design; and (4) ways to increase acceptance and use of the new 

dollar coin.

To gather data for our report, we contracted with the Gallup Organization, 

Washington D.C., a national public opinion research firm, to conduct a 

telephone survey of the U.S. population and hold a series of eight focus 

group discussions in four regions of the United States.

Public Opinion Survey Gallup conducted a telephone survey of adults, age 18 years or older in the 

United States. Survey participants were contacted in July and August 2002. 

The telephone survey contained questions about coin denominations, coin 

design, frequency of design changes and the Sacagawea dollar coin. (See 

app. II.)

Telephone numbers for the sample were drawn using the CasadyLepkowski Truncated List-Assisted RDD (Random Digit Dialing) sampling 

method. Survey Sampling Inc. provided a probability sample of telephone 

numbers drawn from 100 banks of telephone numbers that contained a 

minimum of three listed numbers. The adult with the most recent birthday 

was selected for interviewing within each household. Interviewers made at 

least 7 attempts on different days and at different times of day to contact 

the selected respondent at each household. The sampling method yielded 

1,003 completed interviews with adults age 18 years or older in the United 

States. The resulting sample is weighted to adjust for unequal probabilities 

of selection due to varying household sizes and numbers of telephones. The 

sample is also weighted to match U.S. Census Population Projections for 

age, race, ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic) and gender.

10The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2002 (P.L. 107-

67).
Appendix I

Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

Page 32 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

The initial Random Digital Dial telephone survey included 6745 telephone 

numbers. Of these telephone numbers, 4565 represented households (not 

businesses) and had at least one adult age 18 years or older living in the 

household. Completed interviews were conducted with 1003 respondents 

from the 4565 telephone numbers representing eligible households and 

households whose eligibility could not be determined. Table 1 summarizes 

the outcomes of the telephone interviewing and the response to the survey.

Table 1: Disposition of Sampling Units

Disposition of sampled elements Number

 Telephone numbers in original sample 6,745

Not in the study population: ineligible elements

 Nonhouseholds (e.g., businesses, nonworking telephone numbers). 2,170

 Respondents who failed screening questions. 10

(screening involved determination of 18 years or 

older adult living in the household).

Subtotal of ineligible elements 2,180

Elements whose eligibility was undetermined

Household status unknown (e.g., no answer or busy signal, and the number

was dialed at least seven times) 829

 Respondents who were disqualified because they answered “don’t know” or 

 “refused” to screening questions. Unable to determine whether or not they qualify 

 for the study.

54

 Screening questions were begun but were not completed; call arrived in call back 

 status and survey was never completed. 523

Other (respondent ill, no eligible respondent available during term of study). 310

 Physical limitations prevented the interview, such as illness, or lack of hearing, 

 non-English or Spanish speaker.

126

Subtotal of elements whose eligibility is undetermined 1,842

In the study population: eligible elements

Nonrespondents

 Refusal 1,337

 Telephone answering machine was reached 

 and at least seven attempts were made to complete 

 the interview, or the designated respondent 

 could not be contacted and at least seven attempts 

 were made to contact the selected adult. 316

 Respondents who suspended interview after it 

 had begun. 45
Appendix I

Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

Page 33 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Source: July/August 2002 Gallup Survey Response Report.

The practical difficulties of conducting any survey introduce various types 

of errors, such as nonsampling errors. These survey results represent the 

views of respondents and do not represent the views of those who could 

not or chose not to respond to the survey. No determination can be made as 

to whether the individuals who did not complete the survey for various 

reasons have views that are significantly different from those who did 

respond to the survey. Several actions were taken by the Gallup 

organization to increase the response rate, including (1) making at least 

seven attempts to contact each sampled household; (2) training 

interviewers how to conduct the interview, avoid refusals, and persuade 

potential respondents to participate; and (3) recontacting households that 

deferred from participating in the interview when first called. 

Differences in how a particular question is interpreted and differences in 

the sources of information available to respondents can also be a source of 

nonsampling error. In addition, the views that respondents express to 

survey interviewers might not accurately describe or predict the actual 

behaviors of these same respondents. We included steps in both the data 

collection and data analysis stages for the purpose of minimizing such 

nonsampling errors. For example, we developed our survey questions with 

the aid of our survey specialists and the Gallup organization specialists. 

Pretesting of the questions and questionnaire was done by the Gallup 

organization. After pretesting the survey, some questions were eliminated 

or revised to shorten the duration of the interview. Time constraints and 

concerns about nonsampling error limited the length of both the 

introduction and individual questions. For example, we did not provide the 

survey respondents with the number of years since the last redesign for 

each denomination.

Because the survey is based on a sample instead of the entire population, 

the survey results are subject to sampling error. Results for the total survey 

are surrounded by a 95 percent confidence interval of plus or minus 3.1 

percentage points or less. Confidence intervals are larger for population 

Disposition of sampled elements Number

 Screening questions were completed; call arrived 

 in call back status and survey was never 

 completed. 22

Respondents – completed interviews 1,003

Subtotal of eligible elements 2,723

(Continued From Previous Page)
Appendix I

Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

Page 34 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

subgroups, with a subgroup of n = 300 having a 95 percent confidence 

interval ranging between approximately +/- 4 to 6 percentage points. 

Focus Group 

Discussions

Gallup conducted a total of eight, 2-hour focus group discussions. Two 

focus group sessions were conducted at contractor arranged facilities in 

each of four cities in the United States: Towson, MD; Detroit, MI; Atlanta, 

GA; and Seattle, WA. Each focus group discussion was designed to contain 

a minimum of 8 to 10 individuals. The organization of the discussions in the 

focus groups closely followed the subject areas covered in the public 

opinion survey. The focus group discussions were held after the 

questionnaire for the public opinion survey was finalized. The focus group 

discussions took place while the public opinion survey was being 

conducted. 

Focus group participants were asked to discuss issues such as the 

denominations of coins used in the United States, the design of U.S. coins, 

the frequency of change in coins’ design, and ways to increase acceptance 

and use of the new dollar coin. New dollar coins were provided to focus 

group participants during discussions about various aspects of the new 

dollar coin’s design. Participants mentioned some coins from other 

countries, such as the euro, but examples of these coins were not provided 

during the focus group sessions. The focus group sessions were conducted 

by moderators from the Gallup organization. 

In all focus group sessions, efforts were made to ensure that participants 

represented a diverse range of age, race, ethnicity, and sex. Focus group 

participants were paid an honorarium of approximately $50 for their 

participation.

We did our audit work from January to December 2002 in accordance with 

generally accepted government auditing standards.
Page 35 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses ApendxiI

GAO U.S. Coin Design Survey Conducted by The Gallup Organization

Note: Because of rounding, percentages do not always total to 100

percent.

1. Have you ever heard of the Sacagawea golden dollar coin?

	


 

	 



		 

 

	 

2. In the past year have you had in your possession a Sacagawea

golden dollar coin?

	


 


				 !"	!	# 



		 $

 

	 

3. Have you EVER RECEIVED the Sacagawea golden dollar

coin as change from?

A. A vending machine

	


 

				 !"	!	# %$


		 


 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 36 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

B. A cashier

	


 

				 !"	!	# $


		 

 

	 

4. In the last month, have you received the Sacagawea golden

dollar coin as change from the following?

A. A vending machine

	


 

		&&!#&	!	#!"


		 

 

	 

B. A cashier

	


 


		&&!#&	!	#!"$


		 

 

	 

5. Have you EVER USED the Sacagawea golden dollar coin to

pay for something (make a purchase)?

	


 $

		&&	 !"	!	# $


		 

 

	 

6. How about in the last month? Have you used the Sacagawea

golden dollar coin to pay for something (make a purchase)?

	


 

		&&	!	#	'(		)#" 



		 

 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 37 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

7. In the last month, have you used the golden dollar coin in any

of the following ways?

A. As cash to pay for a purchase at a cash register

	


 

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" 


		 

 

	 

B. At a postal stamp machine

	


 

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" %


		 

 

	 

C. At a vending machine

	


 

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" %


		 

 

	 

D. For mass transit, like to purchase bus tokens or

subway rides

	


 %

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" 


		 

 

	 

E. As a tip for service

	


 

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" %


		 

 

	 

F. At a coin-operated car wash

	


 

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" 


		 

 

	 

G. At a pay phone
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 38 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

	


 

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" %


		 

 

	 

H. At a parking meter

	


 

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" %


		 

 

	 

I. At a Laundromat

	


 

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" 


		 

 

	 

J. At a tollbooth

	


 


		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" %


		 

 

	 

K. As a gift

	


 $

		&&	!	##)		'(		)#" %



		 

 

	 

9. For each of the following features of the Sacagawea golden

dollar coin, please tell me whether you think it is okay as is,

or whether it should be changed.

A. Color of the coin



	 	


*(# 


 	+!" %

		'##	 


		 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 39 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

 


	 

B. Size of the coin



	 	


*(# $

 	+!" 


		'##	 


		 

 

	 

C. Weight of the coin



	 	


*(# %$

 	+!" 

		'##	 


		 $

 

	 

D. Thickness of the coin



	 	


*(# 

 	+!" $

		'##	 


		 


 

	 

E. Showing Sacagawea on the face or front of the coin



	 	


*(# 


 	+!" 


		'##	 


		 

 

	 

F. The image that is on the back of the coin



	 	


*(# %

 	+!" 


		'##	 $



		 

 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 40 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

10. How strongly would you favor or oppose a U.S. government

decision to stop making the dollar bill and replace it with the

dollar coin?

	


 	"(&	 

 	)&	 %

#&			''	


 	)	''	

 	"(	''	$


		 


 

	 

11. If the U.S. government replaced the dollar bill with the dollar

coin, it would save at least half a billion dollars a year, mainly

because coins last longer than paper bills. Knowing this, how

strongly do you favor or oppose replacing the dollar bill with

the dollar coin?

	


 	"(&	 %

 	)&	 

#&			''	%

 	)	''	

 	"(	''	


		 

 

	 

12. Which of the following statements comes closer to your

view?

	


,		!	#&#-*.+#!	#&#+%

,	*/	!	##	+#

		"&#+




		 

 

	 

13. If both the dollar bill and the dollar coin were equally

available and accepted, how much of the time do you think

you would use the dollar COIN instead of the dollar BILL?

Would use the coin?

	


0	#)


1		#)%

 	)	#)


.(& 

	2		(	!	##	+#		"&#+3 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 41 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

4	&!	# 


		 

 


	 

14. Survey question deleted.

15. How strongly do you agree or disagree that each of the

following has been a reason that people are not using the new

Sacagawea golden dollar coin more? Please tell me if you

think that each of the following is a reason people are not

using the golden dollar coin more.

A. People being used to the paper dollar



	 	


 	"(#"

 	)#"

#"	#"

 	)"

 	"("$


		 


 

	 

B. People feeling uncomfortable using a new type of

money



	 	


 	"(#"$

 	)#"

#"	#"

 	)"
%

 	"("




		 


 

	 

C. It not being widely available



	 	


 	"(#"$

 	)#"%

#"	#"


 	)"

 	"("


		 

 

	 

D. Vending machines either not accepting the coin or not

being marked that they accept the coin



	 	

Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 42 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

 	"(#"$

 	)#"

#"	#"%

 	)"

 	"("%


		 $

 

	 

E. There being no specific place (slot) for them in cash

registers



	 	


 	"(#"

 	)#"


#"	#"


 	)"

 	"("


		 
$

 

	 

F. People thinking it is a commemorative coin and not

for circulation



	 	


 	"(#"


 	)#"$

#"	#"$

 	)"


 	"("



		 

 

	 

G. People not liking who is on the face of the coin

(Sacagawea)



	 	


 	"(#"%

 	)#"

#"	#"

 	)"

 	"("



		 


 

	 

H. People not wanting to carry around MORE coins in

their pockets or purses



	 	


 	"(#"

Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 43 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

 	)#"

#"	#"


 	)"

 	"("%


		 


 

	 

I. The Susan B. Anthony dollar coin still being in

circulation



	 	


 	"(#"



 	)#"%

#"	#"


 	)"

 	"("


		 


 

	 

J. It being too much like the quarter and being hard to

tell them apart



	 	


 	"(#"$%

 	)#"

#"	#"



 	)"

 	"("


		 

 

	 

16. What could be done differently to get you to use the new

Sacagawea golden dollar coin more? (Open-ended responses)

	


1#)	&#+
$

	#" 

(	+# 


1&#")!#) 

5"	'(#!!!##!!6

1##	##"# 

1#" 


1##" 

1#) 

* $

,!&##"7!#	 


8#&)	)



		 %

 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 44 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

17. To the best of your knowledge, is the federal government still

producing or has it permanently stopped producing the

Sacagawea golden dollar coin?



	 	


 #'	!#" 
$

9)(	'''	!#" 


		 


 

	 

18. The 50 State Quarter program authorizes the Mint to issue 50

new quarters commemorating all 50 states over a period of 10

years. If the dollar coin were issued with a series of different

images over a period of time, similar to the Quarter program,

would this make you more likely, make no difference or

make you less likely?

A. To USE the dollar coin for purchases

	


1	#( %

	#!$

/#( 


		 %

 



'	#"	!	# 


	 

B. To COLLECT the dollar coin

	


1	#( %

	#!
$

/#( 


		 

 


'	#"	!	# 

	 

19. If the dollar coin were redesigned on a recurring basis, like

the Quarter program, how strongly would you favor or

oppose each of the following images being shown on the

front of the coin?

A. Nature or wildlife scenes
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 45 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

	


 	"(&	 

 	)&	 



#&			''	

 	)	''	

 	"(	''	



		 

 

	 

B. Symbols of America

	


 	"(&	 



 	)&	 $

#&			''	

 	)	''	

 	"(	''	



		 

 


	 

C. U.S. Presidents

	


 	"(&	 

 	)&	 

#&			''	

 	)	''	

 	"(	''	


		 

 

	 

D. American heroes

	


 	"(&	 


 	)&	 $

#&			''	

 	)	''	

 	"(	''	%


		 

 


	 

E. Inventors or scientists

	


 	"(&	 $

 	)&	 


#&			''	

 	)	''	$

 	"(	''	



		 $

 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 46 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

F. Social activists

	


 	"(&	 

 	)&	 %

#&			''	%

 	)	''	

 	"(	''	



		 

 

	 

G. Sports or entertainment personalities

	


 	"(&	 $

 	)&	 


#&			''	

 	)	''	$

 	"(	''	


		 

 

	 

H. Historical events

	


 	"(&	 %

 	)&	 
$

#&			''	

 	)	''	

 	"(	''	$


		 $

 

	 

I. Ethnic diversity

	


 	"(&	 

 	)&	 

#&			''	
%

 	)	''	


 	"(	''	$


		 


 

	 

J. Is there something else you would prefer

to see? What else would you prefer?

(Open ended)

	


		#"%

/)7#	#!#"7	& 
%

 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 47 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

4##7:#!#) 

4	)##	( 

9# %

,8	 $

;"7'#	#) $

<" 

* $


		 

 

	 

20. During the last YEAR, how often, if ever, have you

A. Received a 50-cent coin as change

	


& 

*!	#!


 &#) %

;=( 


		 

	 

B. Used a 50-cent coin to make a purchase

	


& $

*!	#!


 &#) $

;=( 



		 

 

	 

C. Given or received a 50-cent coin as a gift

	


& $$

*!	#!

 &#) 

;=( 


		 

 


	 

21. How strongly do you agree or disagree that each of the

following has been a reason people are not using the 50-cent

coin more?

A. The size of the coin being too large

	

Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 48 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

 	"(#"

 	)#"%

#"	#"$

 	)"

 	"("


		 

 


	 

B. The weight of the coin being too heavy

	


 	"(#"%

 	)#"%

#"	#"

 	)"$

 	"("$%


		 

 

	 

C. It not being widely available

	


 	"(#"%

 	)#"$

#"	#"

 	)"

 	"("


		 

 


	 

D. Vending machines either not accepting the coin or not

marked that they accept the coin

	


 	"(#"

 	)#"$

#"	#"

 	)"$


 	"("



		 

 

	 

E. There being no specific place (slot) for them in cash

registers

	


 	"(#"%

 	)#"


#"	#"


 	)"

 	"("%


		 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 49 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

 

	 

F. People thinking it is a commemorative coin and not

for circulation

	


 	"(#"$

 	)#"$


#"	#"

 	)"

 	"("



		 


 $

	 

G. People not liking who is on the face of the coin (John

F. Kennedy)

	


 	"(#"

 	)#"$$

#"	#"

 	)"

 	"("
$


		 $

 

	 

22. For each of the following features of the 50-cent coin please

tell me whether you think it is okay as is, or whether it should

be changed.

A. Color of the coin

	


*(# $

 	+!" 

		'##	 



		 $

 


	 

B. Size of the coin

	


*(# $

 	+!" $

		'##	 




		 

 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 50 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

C. Weight of the coin

	


*(# $%

 	+!" 

		'##	 


		 

 


	 

D. Thickness of the coin

	


*(# %

 	+!" 


		'##	 



		 

 

	 

E. Who is on the face or front of the coin (John F.

Kennedy)

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

		'##	 




		 

 

	 

F. The image that is on the back of the coin

	


*(# %

 	+!" 


		'##	 $


		 

 

	 

23. Would you miss the 50-cent coin if it were not produced or

distributed any longer?

	


 


	 $



		 

 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 51 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

24. Do you think any aspect of the design of the quarter such as

its color, size, weight, or image, needs to be changed or is the

quarter okay as is?

	


*(# $


 	+!" 

		'##	 

 

	 

25. Please tell me whether you think each of the following

features of the quarter is okay as is, or whether it should be

changed.

A. Color of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

	2	"#"	(3 $

	 

B. Size of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

	2	"#"	(3 $

	 

C. Weight of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" 


		 

	2	"#"	(3 $

	 

D. Thickness of the coin

	


*(# $

 	+!" 



		 

	2	"#"	(3 $

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 52 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

E. Who is on the face or front of the coin (George

Washington)

	


*(# $

 	+!" 


		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 $

	 

F. The image that is on the back of the new 50-state coins

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 $

	 

G. The image that is on the back of the old coin with the

eagle

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

	2	"#"	(3 $

	 

26. If you receive quarters as change, how often do you look at

the back side to see if you have received the older coin with

the eagle or one of the new 50-state quarters?

	


& 

( 

 	)#) 

;=( 

0(	)	( 

	 

27. Do you try to avoid receiving the older quarter with the eagle

image that was produced before the 50-state quarter

program?

	


 

	 %


		 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 53 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

 

	2(	&		+!	=3 

	 

28. Now on the dime. Do you think any aspect of the design of

the DIME (such as, its color, size, weight, or image) needs to

be changed or is the dime okay as is?

	


*(# %

 	+!" $

		'##	 

 

	 

29. Please tell me whether you think each of the following

features of the dime is okay as is, or whether it should be

changed.

A. Color of the coin

	


*(# $

 	+!" %

	2	"#"	(3 

	 

B. Size of the coin

	


*(# %

 	+!" $

	2	"#"	(3 

	 

C. Weight of the coin

	


*(# $

 	+!" %

 

	2	"#"	(3 

	 

D. Thickness of the coin

	


*(# 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 54 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

 	+!" 


	2	"#"	(3 

	 

E. Who is on the face or front of the coin (Franklin D.

Roosevelt)

	


*(# 

 	+!" 


		'##	 

 

	2	"#"	(3 

	 

F. The image that is on the back of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

	2	"#"	(3 

	 

30. Now about the nickel. Do you think any aspect of the design

of the NICKEL (such as its color, size, weight, or image)

needs to be changed or is the nickel okay as is?

	


*(# 


 	+!" 

		'##	 


		 

	 

31. Please tell me whether you think each of the following

features of the nickel is okay as is, or whether it should be

changed.

A. Color of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" $

	2	"#"	(3 
%

	 

B. Size of the coin

	


*(# 
%
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 55 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

 	+!" 

	2	"#"	(3 
%

	 

C. Weight of the coin

	


*(# 


 	+!" 

	2	"#"	(3 
%

	 

D. Thickness of the coin

	


*(# 
%

 	+!" 

		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 
%

	 

E. Who is on the face or front of the coin (Thomas

Jefferson)

	


*(# 

 	+!" $

		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 
%

	 

F. The image that is on the back of the coin

	


*(# 
%

 	+!" 



		 

	2	"#"	(3 
%

	 

G. General appearance of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" %

	2	"#"	(3 
%

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 56 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

32. Do you think any aspect of the design of the PENNY (such as

its color, size, weight, or image) needs to be changed or is the

penny okay as is?

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

		'##	 


		 

 

	 

33. Do you think each of the following features of the penny is

okay as is, or whether it should be changed?

A. Color of the coin

	


*(# 


 	+!" 

		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 


	 

B. Size of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 


	 

C. Weight of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" %

		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 


	 

D. Thickness of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" $

		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 


	 

E. Who is on the face or front of the coin (Lincoln)
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 57 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

	


*(# 

 	+!" 

		'##	 


	2	"#"	(3 


	 

F. The image that is on the back of the coin

	


*(# 

 	+!" 


		'##	 

	2	"#"	(3 


	 

34. When you receive pennies as change, do you most often...?

	



		)#"


		 

 

07&(#" 

0!!)	&)#'#""(+>?>>	#%


 ') $

9)#''(!'!"# 


	)( 

	 

35. A proposal has been made for the rounding of values in CASH

transactions to eliminate the need for the penny coin. If the

proposal was approved, the prices (of goods and services)

would still be shown in cents and when paying by check or

credit card, the exact amount of purchase would continue to

be paid.

However, when using cash to pay for a purchase, the amount

due for the TOTAL of all items would be rounded up or down

to the nearest five or ten cents. If the total ended in 1, 2, 6 or

7, the purchase would be rounded down. If it ended in 3, 4, 8

or 9 it would be rounded up.

How strongly would you favor or oppose rounding values for

cash transactions?

	


 	"(	''	$$

 	)	''	%

#&			''	$

 	)&	 


 	"(&	 


		 

 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 58 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

	 

36. Rounding the total purchase value up or down to the nearest

five or ten cents has been used on U.S. military bases as well

as in Australia and New Zealand. Knowing this, how strongly

would you favor or oppose rounding values for cash

transactions?

	


 	"(	''	


 	)	''	

#&			''	$

 	)&	 

 	"(&	 



		 

 

	 

37. If the cost to the federal government for producing and

distributing the penny was more than one cent each, how

strongly would you favor or oppose rounding values for cash

transactions?

	


 	"(	''	%

 	)	''	


#&			''	$

 	)&	 %

 	"(&	 %%


		 

 %

	 

38. In your opinion, should the design of U.S. coins be changed

more frequently, less frequently or about as frequently as

they currently are?

	


1	=( %

/=( 

0+	=((	 $$


		 $

 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 59 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

39. In general, how frequently should the design of U.S. coins be

changed?

	


<&(( 

<&(	( $


<&(	( $

<&(	( 


<&(	( $

<&((	=( 



		 


 

	 

40. Currently, U.S. coins show the value in words, such as “one

dime” and do not have a number, such as “10” showing how

many cents the coin is worth. How strongly do you agree or

disagree that the actual number of the cents be shown on our

coins as a numeral?

	


 	"(#"

 	)#"

##"	"$%

 	)"$

 	"("


		 %

 

	 

41. How do you feel about the AMOUNT of wording on U.S.

coins? 

	


		)! 

		#

@+	#")			#" %


		 

 

	 

42. Please tell me if you think the U.S. Mint should continue or

stop producing each of the following coins.

A. Dollar coin (any dollar coin)

	

Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 60 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

5	#'	!#" $

 	''	!#" %


		 


 

	 

B. Fifty-cent piece

	


5	#'	!#" 

 	''	!#" 



		 


 


	 

C. Quarter

	


5	#'	!#" %%

 	''	!#" $


		 

 


	 

D. Dime

	


5	#'	!#" %

 	''	!#" 


		 


 

	 

E. Nickel

	


5	#'	!#" $

 	''	!#" 



		 


 

	 

F. Penny

	


5	#'	!#" 

 	''	!#" 





		 

 

	 
Appendix II

Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U.S. Coin 

Design and Overall Responses

Page 61 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

43. Other industrialized countries have stopped production of

paper money equivalent to the dollar bill and now produce

coins for the equivalent of the 1-dollar and 2-dollar bills. How

strongly do you favor or oppose the production of a 2-dollar

coin?

	


 	"(	''	


 	)	''	

#&			''	

 	)&	 $

 	"(&	 %


		 

 

	 

44. What other denominations of coins, if any, do you think

should be added?

First response

	


* $


		 


 

	%

0 

A 

A 

A 

A 


A %

	 

Second response

	


* 


A 


A 

A 

A 

	)	'	 


	2#	&!	'	3 %


	 
Page 62 GAO-03-206 U.S. Coins

Appendix III

Comments from the United States Mint ApendxiI

(543018)
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