For starters, is there a sudden overabundance of these coins, which are only slightly larger than a quarter, yet quite smaller than a 50-cent piece? Their size just doesn't seem adequate for a coin representing the mighty U.S. dollar. The U.S. $1.00 paper currency has the presidential portrait of possibly the most historically honored man ever. I'd be willing to bet every city in America pays some homage to George Washington, maybe in bronze or perhaps a frame, but definitely some tribute. Then of course on the other $1.00 coin, like Washington another former president and war hero, Dwight D. Eisenhower. That's $2.00, two presidents and two U.S. Army "Gods." Sorry ladies, but how does Ms. Anthony belong on the same battlefield as George and Ike. Even two Kennedy "50-centers" seem more dignified. Unfortunately, Ms. Anthony's image doesn't pack a good whallup, that combined with its less than glorious size among coins, automatically makes the currency appear less valuable. Some may argue the value of the coin is the fact that she is not a former president or Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. She is a she, a woman. Some say, that is the point.

      Regardless, the Susan B. Anthony dollar is being distributed again to the public through these vending machines. One can only guess whether its because of society's current highly-focused concentration on being "politically correct," or maybe the Ike coins are too large for the slots in the machine. Who know?

       I would have sworn these coins, which were originally issued in 1979, were discontinued. Does this mean we made too many back then, or are Americans angry they didn't get one the first time around? If you recall they weren't too popular then. So, if they weren't being used the first time, why issue them again? One argument could be because America has a different view towards women, and women's goals in 1996 compared to 1979. That's almost 20 years. To quote Virginia Slims, "You've Come a Long Way Baby." However the Susan B.'s previous status in coin popularity as well as their similar size to a quarter will forever hinder it from respectibility. My suggestion is to commission another coin with an American woman's depiction, to commemorate the gender's accomplishments in this century, on the 20th anniversary of the much maligned Susan B. Anthony coin, and near turn of the Century, sometime in 1999.

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