U.S. Coins: Public Views on Changing Coin Design (17-DEC-02,
GAO-03-206).
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.
-------------------------Indexing Terms-------------------------
REPORTNUM: GAO-03-206
ACCNO: A05483
TITLE: U.S. Coins: Public Views on Changing Coin Design
DATE: 12/17/2002
SUBJECT: Currency and coinage
Surveys
Treasury 50 State Quarters Program
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GAO-03-206
A
Report to Congressional Committees
December 2002 U. S. COINS Public Views on Changing Coin Design
GAO- 03- 206
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
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
Lett er
December 17, 2002 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).
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
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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 [107 th 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.
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 The Gallup Survey indicated that most adults in the
continental United Satisfied with Current States are satisfied with
current coin denominations. When asked if the
Mint should continue or stop producing nickels, dimes, or quarters, at
least Denominations of
97 percent of the respondents to the Gallup Survey said they should Coins
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).
Figure 3: Responses to Survey Questions on Whether the Mint Should
Continue Producing Certain 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.
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 Sixty- four percent of survey respondents said the
Mint should continue to
Eliminate the Penny and produce the penny. Some focus group participants
said that the penny is Use Rounding for Cash
useful for paying in exact change and that the penny is an important part
of Transactions 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.)
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
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
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 The survey indicated that most adults in the continental
United States are
Satisfied with the satisfied with current coin designs. Respondents were
asked if they
thought any aspect of the design, such as who or what is depicted, color,
Current Design of size, and weight of the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter
should be changed.
Coins 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.
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
The survey indicated that most adults in the continental United States
were Satisfied with the
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 Frequency of Change frequently as they currently are. (See fig.
7.) in Coin Designs
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.)
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.)
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 survey indicated that most people have heard of
the new dollar coin,
the Dollar Bill and Not 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 the
New Dollar Coin they had received it as change from a cashier or used it
to pay for and Changing the something at a cash register in the past
month. Less than 2 percent of Dollar Coin*s Design Is
respondents have used the coin for other purchases such as in vending
machines, stamp machines, tollbooths, or mass transit in the last month.
Unlikely to Substantially Increase 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 Use
a gift. However, some participants pointed to the advantages of the coin,
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)
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 The survey results indicated that about half of
adults would only use the to Eliminating the Dollar
new dollar coin if the dollar bill were eliminated; however, most adults
Bill, but Change Opinion oppose a decision by the government to replace
the dollar bill with the When They Hear about 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 Potential Government survey
respondents said they were opposed. (See fig. 11 for results from Savings
various categories.)
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.)
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
The survey results indicated that most adults who had the new dollar coin
with the Current New Dollar in their possession were satisfied with its
design features. Over 80 percent Coin Design, but a Rotating
of survey respondents who had possessed the coin were satisfied with Image
Program Could 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 Increase New Dollar Coin
of respondents who had the coin in their possession said that the size of
the Use Somewhat and new dollar coin should be changed. (See fig. 13 for
results from various Collection Significantly
categories.)
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)
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.
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.)
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.)
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
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.
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
We provided copies of the draft of this report for comment to the
Secretary Our Evaluation
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.
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
Appendi Appendi xes x I
Objectives, Scope, and Methodology 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.
10 The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for fiscal year
2002 (P. L. 10767).
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 54 for the study. 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, 126 non- English or Spanish speaker. 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
(Continued From Previous Page)
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
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
subgroups, with a subgroup of n = 300 having a 95 percent confidence
interval ranging between approximately +/- 4 to 6 percentage points. Focus
Group
Gallup conducted a total of eight, 2- hour focus group discussions. Two
Discussions
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 $50 for their
participation. We did our audit work from January to December 2002 in
accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin
Appendi x II
Design and Overall Responses GAO U. S. Coin Design Survey Conducted by The
Gallup Organization
Note: Because of rounding, percentages do not always total to 100 percent.
1. Have you ever heard of the Sacagawea golden dollar coin?
........ ... ..
... .... . .. ...... . ... ....... . . ... .....
2. In the past year have you had in your possession a Sacagawea golden
dollar coin?
........ ... ..
... ... . . ....... ........ ...... .!.".......... .....! #. .. ...... .
..$ ....... . . ... .....
3. Have you EVER RECEIVED the Sacagawea golden dollar coin as change from?
A. A vending machine
........ ... ..
... .... . . ....... ........ ...... .!.".......... .....! #. %$.. ......
. .. ....... . . ... ....
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)?
........ ... ..
... ... . . ....&....&................. .....! #... .'.(.. ... )...#." .
.. ...... . . ....... . . ... .....
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
........ ... ..
... ... . . ....&....&................. .....! #..#...........) .....
.'.(.. ... )...#." ...% ...... . . ....... . . ... .....
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
......... ............................ .............. .... ... ..
*..(....#. . .. . ....+..!...".. .% . . '#.# . ... ...... . ...
....... .. . ... .....
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
......... ............................ .............. .... ... ..
*..(....#. %... . ....+..!...".. .. . . '#.# . $. ...... . ... ....... . .
... .....
10. How strongly would you favor or oppose a U. S. government decision to
stop making the dollar bill and replace it with the dollar coin?
........ ... ..
.. .".(...& . .. )........& . ...% ..#.......& ... .. '' .. ... )...... ''
.. .... .. .".(. '' .. ...$ ...... . .. ....... ... . ... .....
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 ...
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
......... ...................... .............. .... ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... $.. ).......#.."... .... ..#......"..... ...#.."... %..
)......."... . .. .. .".(.."... ...% ...... . $.. ....... .. . ... .....
E. There being no specific place (slot) for them in cash registers
......... ...................... .............. .... ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... .... ).......#.."... ... ..#......"..... ...#.."... . ..
)......."... . .. .. .".(.."... .... ...... . .$ ....... ... . ... .....
F. People thinking it is a commemorative coin and not for circulation
......... ...................... .............. .... ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... ... ).......#.."... ...$ ..#......"..... ...#.."... $..
)......."... ... .. .".(.."... ... ...... . ... ....... ... . ... .....
G. People not liking who is on the face of the coin (Sacagawea)
......... ...................... .............. .... ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... %.. ).......#.."... .... ..#......"..... ...#.."... ...
)......."... .. .. .".(.."... .. ...... . .. ....... ... . ... ....
H. People not wanting to carry around MORE coins in their pockets or
purses
......... ...................... .............. .... ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... ..
).......#.."... .. ..#......"..... ...#.."... .. )......."... .... ..
.".(.."... %.. ...... . .. ....... . . ... .....
I. The Susan B. Anthony dollar coin still being in circulation
......... ...................... .............. .... ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... .. ).......#.."... .%.. ..#......"..... ...#.."... . ..
)......."... .... .. .".(.."... ... ...... . .. ....... ... . ... ....
J. It being too much like the quarter and being hard to tell them apart
......... ...................... .............. .... ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... .$.% ).......#.."... .... ..#......"..... ...#.."... .
)......."... ... .. .".(.."... .... ...... . .. ....... ... . ... .....
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#&.....).. .)...... .. ...... . ..%
....... .. . ... .....
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
........ ... ..
.. .".(...& . ... )........& . .. ..#.......& ... .. '' .. .... )...... ''
.. ... .. .".(. '' .. ... ...... . ... ....... . . ... .....
B. Symbols of America
........ ... ..
.. .".(...& . . )........& . . .$ ..#.......& ... .. '' .. .... )...... ''
.. ... .. .".(. '' .. . ...... . .. ....... .. . ... ....
C. U. S. Presidents
........ ... ..
.. .".(...& . .... )........& . .... ..#.......& ... .. '' .. . .. )......
'' .. ... .. .".(. '' .. ... ...... . .. ....... .. . ... .....
D. . American heroes
........ ... ..
.. .".(...& . . .. )........& . .$.. ..#.......& ... .. '' .. . .. )......
'' .. ... .. .".(. '' .. %.. ...... . ... ....... .. . ... .....
E. Inventors or scientists
........ ... ..
.. .".(...& . .$.. )........& . ... ..#.......& ... .. '' .. .... )......
'' .. $.. .. .".(. '' .. . .. ...... . ..$ ....... ... . ... ....
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. .....&.... .%
.......... ...
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
........ ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... . .. ).......#.."... ...% ..#......"..... ...#.."... $..
)......."... .... .. .".(.."... ... ...... . ... ....... . . ... .....
B. The weight of the coin being too heavy
........ ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... .%.. ).......#.."... ...% ..#......"..... ...#.."... ..
)......."... ...$ .. .".(.."... .$.% ...... . ... ....... .. . ... .....
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
........ ... ..
.. .".(..#.."... ...% ).......#.."... . . ..#......"..... ...#.."... ..
)......."... .... .. .".(.."... .%.. ...... . ...
....... .. . ... .....
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
........ ... ..
*..(....#. $... . ....+..!...".. ...$ . . '#.# . . ...... . .. ....... ..
. ... .....
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?
........ ... ..
... . .. . $.. ...... . .. ....... .. . ... .....
24. Do you think any aspect of the design of the quarter such as its
color, size, weight, or image, needs to be changed or is the quarter okay
as is?
........ ... ..
*..(....#. .$. . ....+..!...".. ... . . '#.# . .. ....... .. . ... .....
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 .$.. . ... .....
E. Who is on the face or front of the coin (George Washington)
........ ... ..
*..(....#. ..$ . ....+..!...".. . . . '#.# . .. . ........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?
........ ... ..
... .. . %.. ...... . ..
....... .. . ........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
........ ... ..
*..(....#. ..
. ....+..!...".. .. . ........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
........ ... ..
*..(....#. .%
. ....+..!...".. ... . ........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 .
.% . ... .....
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)
........ ... ..
*..(....#. .. . ....+..!...".. ... . . '#.# . . . ........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*?
........ ... ..
.. )...#."..... ... ...... . .. ....... .. 0..7.&..(..#." .. 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?
........ ... ..
.. .".(. '' .. .$.$ )...... '' .. %.. ..#.......& ... .. '' .. $..
)........& . ... .. .".(...& . ... ...... . .. ....... ..
. ... .....
36. Rounding the total purchase value up or down to the nearest five or
ten cents has been used on U. S. military bases as well as in Australia
and New Zealand. Knowing this, how strongly would you favor or oppose
rounding values for cash transactions?
........ ... ..
.. .".(. '' .. ... )...... '' .. .... ..#.......& ... .. '' .. ..$
)........& . .... .. .".(...& . ... ...... . .. ....... .. . ... .....
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?
........ ... ..
.. .".(. '' .. .%. )...... '' .. . .. ..#.......& ... .. '' .. $.
)........& . ...% .. .".(...& . .%.% ...... . .. ....... .% . ... ....
38. In your opinion, should the design of U. S. coins be changed more
frequently, less frequently or about as frequently as they currently are?
........ ... ..
1 ......=.....( %.. /.......=.....( ... 0+ .........=.....(.......(......
. .$.$ ...... . .$ ....... . . ... .....
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)
........ ... ..
5 ..#....'. ..!#." .$.. . '.'. ..!#." .%.. ...... . .. ....... .. . ...
.....
B. Fifty- cent piece
........ ... ..
5 ..#....'. ..!#." ... . '.'. ..!#." ... ...... . .. ....... . . ... .....
C. Quarter
........ ... ..
5 ..#....'. ..!#." .%.% . '.'. ..!#." .$ ...... . .. ....... . . ... .....
D. Dime
........ ... ..
5 ..#....'. ..!#." .%. . '.'. ..!#." ... ...... . . ....... .. . ... .....
E. Nickel
........ ... ..
5 ..#....'. ..!#." .$.. . '.'. ..!#." .. ...... . . ....... .. . ... .....
F. Penny
........ ... ..
5 ..#....'. ..!#." .... . '.'. ..!#." . ...... . ... ....... .. . ...
.....
43. Other industrialized countries have stopped production of paper money
equivalent to the dollar bill and now produce coins for the equivalent of
the 1- dollar and 2- dollar bills. How strongly do you favor or oppose the
production of a 2- dollar coin?
........ ... ..
.. .".(. '' .. ... )...... '' .. . .. ..#.......& ... .. '' .. ...
)........& . .$.. .. .".(...& . ...% ...... . ... ....... .. . ... .....
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 % .. . ... .....
Appendi x II I Comments from the United States Mint (543018)
a
GAO United States General Accounting Office
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
Contents Page ii GAO- 03- 206 U. S. Coins
Page 1 GAO- 03- 206 U. S. Coins United States General Accounting Office
Washington, D. C. 20548 Page 1 GAO- 03- 206 U. S. Coins
A
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Appendix I
Appendix I Objectives, Scope, and Methodology
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Appendix I Objectives, Scope, and Methodology
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Appendix I Objectives, Scope, and Methodology
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Appendix II
Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
Responses
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
Responses
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
Responses
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix II Questionnaire for GAO Survey on U. S. Coin Design and Overall
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Appendix III
GAO*s Mission The General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of
Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional
responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of
the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of
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help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions.
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To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs
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fraudnet@ gao. gov Automated answering system: (800) 424- 5454 or (202)
512- 7470
Public Affairs Jeff Nelligan, managing director, NelliganJ@ gao. gov (202)
512- 4800 U. S. General Accounting Office, 441 G Street NW, Room 7149
Washington, D. C. 20548
United States General Accounting Office Washington, D. C. 20548- 0001
Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300
Address Service Requested Presorted Standard
Postage & Fees Paid GAO Permit No. GI00
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