Numismatics

U.S. Congress reopens debate over replacing dollar bills with coins

Global Politics

The United States loves its paper money. Dollar coins get introduced and re-introduced but they still remain the domain, largely, of vending machines. But a new bill in Congress seeks to change that, by phasing out the paper dollar bills. And supporters say it would bring a financial boon for the government.

As Canada says goodbye to its penny, Americans ponder their own one cent piece

Global Politics

Worthless cash fights corruption

The Language of Corruption, from Cash for Soup to Nokia Box

The World in Words

The Push to Ditch the Dollar Bill for Coins

Global Politics

Worth a Mint: Rare Canadian Penny Up for Auction

Arts, Culture & Media

A Canadian penny minted in 1936 is coming up for auction next month. It’s one of three pennies in existence with a small dot under the date. This special coin is expected to fetch over $250,000.

The Fight for Gay Rights in Poland

Conflict & Justice

Former Polish president Lech Walesa, set off a storm last week saying gays didn’t belong in parliament. On Tuesday, Poland’s only openly gay Member of Parliament and a transgender colleague occupied the front benches of the Polish parliament in protest.

Is Abe Lincoln Safe?

Today marks the last day the Royal Canadian Mint will distribute the penny, a coin that has been in production in Canada for more than 150 years.  The sinking of the Canadian penny is a recognition of the reality that it  costs  of 1.6 cents to manufacture a penny, and that many people consider them more of a […]

Can We Survive Without the Penny?

Canada’s decision to stop producing its penny has launched a discussion in the U.S. In Canada, it costs 1.6 cents to produce a penny – so getting rid of the coin will save the country an estimated 11 million Canadian dollars a year. Meanwhile, in the United States it costs 2.4 cents to make a […]

The World

Secrecy and intrigue in Japan’s royal family

Arts, Culture & Media

During his current trip to Asia, President Obama will meet, among others, two members of Japan’s royal family: Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. We talk to John Burnham Schwartz, author of a novel loosely based on the lives of Japan’s royal family.