Currency: A Columbus Copper Dollar?

A Columbus Copper Dollar?

It might not prop up the U.S. dollar abroad, but it could give the buck more weight at home. An alliance of Congressmen and business groups wants to replace the dollar bill with a gold-colored coin bearing the likeness of Christopher Columbus. The change would boost business for vending machines and could help the blind distinguish a dollar from larger denominations. It would also save money: coins last 13 times as long as the average greenback's 18- month life-span.

Although legislation was introduced in Congress last fall, so far the campaign for a hard dollar remains a shiny dream. "We're talking...

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