Change, we encounter it (almost) every day; we see and touch it everyday, often on our hands; we give and receive it. The right kind of change can make you rich, while most others worth no more than the denomination imprinted on them. Change provides a (small) glimpse into the landscape, culture, and history of the land. From time to time, changes are made to change.
There are rumours that the Canadian Mint is planning to replace five-dollar bills with five dollar coins. This is only a rumour, so don't hide your five dollar bills, in anticipation of those notes going up in value, yet. Just imagine how big this proposed coin would be?
I see the rationelle of replacing bills with coins--coins last longer than bills. It is easier for someone to know if his wallet is still in his pocket (since coins are heavier, one can sense the weight of a wallet in the pocket more easily). Of course, a skilled thief can steal a wallet and replace it with an iron bar contained in a leather bag. (If a thief think this idea would fly, then he should think of a career change.)
While there are advantages of replacing bills with coins, there are drawbacks. For instance, coins tends to cost more to produce than a bill (it may not be the case anymore, with all the security features that are put into bank notes these days). It is also easier for someone to prodcue duplicate coins than bank notes.
The weight of coins can also increase the weight one has into carry in one's throusers. This may cause the pocket to become unable to withstand the weight of the contents inside and the weight may tear the pocket. Then the contents may fall to the ground. Imagine what would happen if a pocket full of coins is torn apart — the coins would fall to the ground, causing that person to scramble to find the coins. It may also cause people around the person whose pocket is torn to fight for the dropped contents (thankfully, most people are decent enough not to do that).
Introducing a new coin may also cause those who use a large number of coins (more than 15) to make payments to expand their change sacks. It may give them another excuse to carry more change around and use more loose change in making payments; dragging the check-out lines to a halt; enraging the people waiting in line; reducing productivity of the people at the check-out counter and the people waiting in line; causing the economy to grind to a halt; chaos will reign. (Yes, I realize that I have taken this logic way too far.)
The Mint is also releasing a version of the loonie which features Terry Fox, rather than a loon, on one side. Some people have already think that the coin would have "Terry" as its new nickname. However, it is the other side of the coin (no pun intended) that interests me more.
In many Commonwealth countries (including Canada), all coins have a "portrait" of Queen Elizabeth on one side of them. That got me to think what would the coins look like if we replace the head of Queen Elizabeth with that of Prince Charles (I seem to hear a collective shudder as I type this). One day a family discussion was somehow steered to how Charles would look on a coin when he ascends to the throne. In the middle of that discussion, it was suggested that Charles may not become king at all — that Prince William would become king when Queen Elizabeth vacates the throne. (As a aside, I think Charles will get to be king someday, unless the monarchy is abolished in Britain or Queen Elizabeth lives to 110. Of course, we can also divert this discussion into whether Canada should become a republic, a position I happen to believe in.)
There also are efforts in making change history. Debit cards are very popular today. There are also cards with allows you to make purchases without opening your wallet. In fact, there are places where people may look at you funny if you pay in cash. However, coins likely will remain a part of our society, as long as stores continue to prize their products so that the number of the pricetag ends with a 9.
There may come a day when change is no longer needed, but before then, we will have to continue to deal with change, no matter how heavy it weighs. (If such a day does come, hold on to your change — it may change your life.)