Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- In what critics are calling "a bold move," the United States Mint, along with several other persons in the Department of the Treasury, are contemplating
a major change in the quarter of the United States.
"The Mint has been pleased with the sale of hundreds of thousands of President Obama commemorative coins," said Kristen Grafner, a secretary for the Treasurer of the United States. "The leap wasn't too big," she continued. "Why not put Barack Obama on non-commemorative currency?"
This led officials in the US Mint to propose a change in currency to the Treasurer of the United States, Anna Carbal. "At first she seemed pretty upset," said William Chicney, a close friend of Carbal's. "But then she thought about it, and asked what coin they wanted to change. They wanted the quarter, and Carbal said she'd think on it."
If Carbal gives her approval, the movement to change the quarter would gain vast credibility. If then approved by the Department of the Treasury and Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the change in coinage would begin. This would mean the quarter, which has had George Washington on it since 1932, would now have Barack Obama on its obverse side.
Critics of the plan, including Joseph Hendrie, an avid numismatist, call the plan "outrageous." "President Washington was one of the founders of our country and one of our greatest Presidents," Hendrie said. "And, what, now we're going to change the quarter so Obama can be on it? That's ridiculous."
"If we are going to do that, why not put George Bush on the five dollar bill," Hendrie concluded.
Amongst other possible changes to US coins as a whole, the US Mint is also contemplating removing "E Pluribus Unum" to its English translation, and removing "In God We Trust" from currency and replacing it with "Yes We Can." -
Bugle Examiner
