Show me da money

I'd thought about this before but this amusing story reminded me of it again. I remember some common (ignorant) comments regarding how American's often look at foreign currencies as if they are monopoly money, mostly because they are more colorful and further, often come in different sizes so doesn't seem as "real". So since it's not how it's done here, it sorta looks like play money. Um... right. There were of course some complaints when the new "counterfeit-proof" money came out but that was only because it was a change and of course, all change should be complained about in the US.

Anyhow, after my first trip abroad I had a conversation about the money and it occurred to me how kind of arbitrary the system is here. The Euro's for example were designed with consistency in mind. They go in a constant progression all the way down to the cent. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, then 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros. Basically everything is an order of 1, 2, and 5. I personally think the 2 is overkill but whatever. Then on top of that, the coins increase in size in a uniform way, and the bills also increase in size. The Deutschmarks were like this as well.

The US has a cent progression (1, 5, 10, 25, 50) which deviates from the dollar progression (1, (2,) 5, 10, 20, 50). e.g. we don't have a $25 bill like we have a 25 cent piece. Then then you have a 10 cent piece that is smaller and thinner than both the penny and the nickel. All of the bills are the same size and indistinguishable to the touch. This was pointed out recently in a US Supreme Court Case.

Regarding the bill size, I've come to tentative conclusion that it makes more sense to have bills of different sizes. A) It makes it less likely to confuse the bills. B) Blind people could distinguish them easily without the need for special bumps. C) Mechanical readers could distinguish the values easier. D) It seems logical to make the money worth more even in a miniscule material sense. The main downside of course is that it would cause the need for new and redesigned cash register drawers, vending machines mechanics, and wallets. Plus it wouldn't look quite as nice packed in drug dealer and other villenous attache cases in Hollywood movies. Basically ain't gonna happen. So I guess the only remaining solution is to add some bumps to the bills.

I'm not sure what to think about the $1 coins. We have at least 3 types floating around, the nice and large silver dollar size, the Suzan B, and the Sacagawea ones, all of different sizes. Oh yeh, and the ones you find in the Casinos. I suppose it's fine to use the $1 as a kind of commemorative coin. Which reminds me. There aren't 1 and 2 Euro notes, only coins IIRC. That couldn't fly here, think of how clumsy it would be for strippers.