It's the Sacagawea dollar bill. Here is the story: in 1999 Ecuador's currency collapsed for various reasons, so the President at the time announced that Ecuador would begin to use US currency in 2000. There was a huge negative reaction from Ecuadorians. So much so that he had to resign. But his successor went ahead with the plan. It has worked out okay. I understand El Salvador also uses US currency.
It meant I didn't have to change any money when I got here. But here's the interesting thing. I have not seen any $1 bills, only the Sacagawea $1. I have a pocket full of them as you see here. They are very unpopular in the US, though they continue to be minted. Here they are the preferred $1. I have to wonder if it might be because the picture of Sacagawea and her baby resembles the indigenous population here. Who knows. I find them to be very handy really.
So I guess Ecuador has proven to be a good outlet for all those unpopular Sacagawea coins from the US.
How much in REAL money are those coins worth??? If it's 50 cents, then I have a great proposal! I'll send you 50,000 in twenties, you change those for these coins, then you should have 100,000...!!!! Bring that home with you and I'll pay you 10,000!!! What a plan!
ReplyDeleteI wonder where they get the coins??? do they buy them from the US Mint? Weird since our money has no real value past the cost of the metal other than what we perceive it to be worth. I assume they buy them at "cost" in lieu of minting their own??? Answers, please, Mr. Librarian!
They are worth a dollar. I assume that Ecuador must buy them for what they are worth. But what do I know about money. Ask a real librarian, not a State Librarian Emeritus.;-)
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