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The Magistrate

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5. People Of A Certain Age, Sir, View Them as Luck Bits

Thu Oct 3, 2013, 10:54 PM

Oct 2013

I have not come across one in many years, and do not think I have spent one within the last thirty years.

Long ago they were somewhat more common, back when you still came upon fifty cent pieces frequently, and silver dollars often enough it was simply a pleasant surprise, but not astonishing.

The story is, anyway, that they were often used in gambling, as a two dollar bet was the threshold at horse tracks.

I do not really know why none of the recent dollar coins caught on. It would make a lot of sense to have a dollar coin and a two dollar bill, in my view.

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Explain this to a Canadian (2 dollar bills) [View all] PM Martin Oct 2013 OP

We were drunk. He said it would be a good idea. Now I have regrets. Nuclear Unicorn Oct 2013 #1

Think of it as a Labbat 50 only twice the size Vinnie From Indy Oct 2013 #2

Nope Spider Jerusalem Oct 2013 #3

I'll see you and raise Nevernose Oct 2013 #9

Afraid of change? krispos42 Oct 2013 #70

Bazinga! pokerfan Oct 2013 #71

Two dollar bills and coins were invented as ChisolmTrailDem Oct 2013 #73

Two answers MFrohike Oct 2013 #4

Last time I was through Monticello (2005 or so) alcibiades_mystery Oct 2013 #15

That's sad MFrohike Oct 2013 #18

$2 bills are popular in casinos, too LadyHawkAZ Oct 2013 #20

People Of A Certain Age, Sir, View Them as Luck Bits The Magistrate Oct 2013 #5

I have one in my wallet Paulie Oct 2013 #21

LOL - that's what she brings my kids, too! cyberswede Oct 2013 #22

Funny thing is my daughter would much prefer the tooth fairy deliver apps to her iPod. Paulie Oct 2013 #24

Coins are a nuisance n/t SoCalDem Oct 2013 #65

I keep all the ones I come across, if they're 1976 series krispos42 Oct 2013 #72

Retailers hated the coin Warpy Oct 2013 #6

A red treasury seal or a blue one? roamer65 Oct 2013 #25

It's a silver dollar. Warpy Oct 2013 #29

Ah. I thought it was an old large size note (aka "horse blanket") roamer65 Oct 2013 #31

No, it's been worn nearly slick Warpy Oct 2013 #34

It's worth right around $20 because it's 90 pct silver. roamer65 Oct 2013 #35

Dollar coins were actually very popular, back in the days they would buy you a nice meal. dimbear Oct 2013 #7

In the western states and California very true. roamer65 Oct 2013 #19

2 dollar bills are so rare that some cashiers in retail establishments think they aren't real. PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #8

Don't even think about trying to pass one at Taco Bell pokerfan Oct 2013 #75

Its like your Loonies...only we don't try peeling them apart to find chocolate. Historic NY Oct 2013 #10

There was never a $2 bill slot in any cash register bhikkhu Oct 2013 #11

They are very available. Betsy Ross Oct 2013 #12

I haven't see a $2 bill since I was a teenager...I'm damn near 40 alcibiades_mystery Oct 2013 #13

I actually have three of them in my wallet right now. CanonRay Oct 2013 #51

Nah, we are really screwed up when it comes to coins.. SomethingFishy Oct 2013 #14

Some banks have $2 notes and some vending machines take them... roamer65 Oct 2013 #16

I have 20 of them in a box somewhere at my parents house. ForgoTheConsequence Oct 2013 #17

He's a bunch of stories done by NPR Planet Money Paulie Oct 2013 #23

I still think we need the Richard Nixon $3 bill...heheh. roamer65 Oct 2013 #26

I have one and only one. And it's the only one I've ever seen in my life. JaneyVee Oct 2013 #27

Congress should eliminate the $1 bill. former9thward Oct 2013 #28

Seriously? bunnies Oct 2013 #56

All banks have them. former9thward Oct 2013 #57

I honestly had no idea. bunnies Oct 2013 #66

They are worth $2.00 former9thward Oct 2013 #68

Why? Travis_0004 Oct 2013 #76

That's the same thing they said in Canada and England. former9thward Oct 2013 #77

The newer $1 coins were just too close to quarter size, as other posters DebJ Oct 2013 #30

We need to get rid of our pennies first! n/t DebJ Oct 2013 #32

Got my vote. roamer65 Oct 2013 #36

We recently did up here (to the considerable dismay of tourists) (nt) Posteritatis Oct 2013 #43

Canadians are always the smarter group it seems. n/t DebJ Oct 2013 #46

We have our dumb moments. (See: the federal government) (nt) Posteritatis Oct 2013 #47

Plus, if you lose the penny, KamaAina Oct 2013 #54

I do not have a clear answer for either. Dawson Leery Oct 2013 #33

$2 bills are common KT2000 Oct 2013 #37

Looked and felt too much like a quarter. roamer65 Oct 2013 #38

Reading down to see if any western washingtonian ferry riders would comment. uppityperson Oct 2013 #42

You do know that Americans can't handle the trauma of changing grantcart Oct 2013 #39

The original $1 coin was so close in size SheilaT Oct 2013 #40

I get 10 to 20 - $1 coins every week from the bank. defacto7 Oct 2013 #41

the post office Niceguy1 Oct 2013 #53

Part of it was conservative fear mongering JHB Oct 2013 #44

2 dollar bills are rare. The one dollar coin was mistaken to be a quarter. B Calm Oct 2013 #45

My college wrestling team got meal money in $2 bills. Jenoch Oct 2013 #48

Cash register drawers Motown_Johnny Oct 2013 #49

Never mind that, what are you doing with loons on your dollars? rug Oct 2013 #50

Actually the story behind the loon on the Canadian dollar is very interesting. roamer65 Oct 2013 #55

How interesting! I'm partial to the old one. rug Oct 2013 #58

If that is yours, hang onto it. roamer65 Oct 2013 #62

Oh that is why it's called a looney! treestar Oct 2013 #60

I use $2 bills every chance I get derby378 Oct 2013 #52

For a while, the parking lot machine at our courthouse treestar Oct 2013 #59

Thankfully dollar coins haven't gotten popular here. NYC Liberal Oct 2013 #61

I know some people that used those $ coins accidentally in vending machines Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #63

Our credit uniom will issue $2 notes upon request... Earth_First Oct 2013 #64

At race tracks. Minimum bet is $2. JVS Oct 2013 #67

Strip clubs often give out $2 bills in change Recursion Oct 2013 #69

My folks used to do the hot-air balloon circuit in the Northwest. cemaphonic Oct 2013 #74

I wish..I liked using "toonies" when we were in Canada. Arugula Latte Oct 2013 #78

My wife and I cruise a lot so COLGATE4 Oct 2013 #79

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2013 #80