US mint unveils new $1 coins

The US mint and federal reserve has unveiled designs for new one dollar coins which will come into circulation during 2007.

To induce public interest, the coins will follow the rotation system of the 50 state quarter programme, which encouraged people to collect and become engaged with the coinage.

Dollar bills are well liked in the US and many people see the numeration as a symbol of US value and business.

However, coins do have a longer shelf life and if the programme proves successful, the dollar bill may be phased out.

Edmund C Moy, director of the US mint, stated: "The new presidential one dollar coins are an educational and fun way to learn about former presidents. Our research indicates that, like the 50 state quarters coins, the presidential one dollar coins will be popular with millions of Americans.

"Congress recognized that the 50 state quarters programme showed how a systematically changing design can spark public interest in a coin and we're hoping to build on that success."

The designs of the coins are "bold and dramatic" according to the US mint and the Latin inscriptions are now on the side to provide more room for the presidential illustration.

Inscriptions include "in God we trust" and the first four presidents to adorn the coins will be George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Debate has already begun about the popularity of future coins: Richard Nixon is due in 2016 and Herbert Hoover in 2014.