Not quite what the original bill had in mind but...

In the same issue of Coin World that I just mentioned (June 30) there was mention that the US Mint awarded a $12 million dollar contract spread out over three firms with the express goal of publicizing the program and to convince the populace to embrace the dollar coin for their primary means of transporting 100 cents in cash.

Let's remind ourselves of something by looking in HR 902, Sec. 104 clause 8:

(8) in connection with the introduction of the $1 coins under the Presidential $1 Coin Program--

(A) the coins should not be introduced with an overly expensive taxpayer-funded public relations campaign; and

(B) the Director of the United States Mint, a bureau in the Department of the Treasury, should work with consumer groups, media outlets, and schools to ensure an adequate amount of news coverage about the start of the coin program so consumers will know of the availability of the coins

I guess $12 million is not considered to be "overly expensive" or compared to the $40 million spent to advertise the Sacagawea dollar coin program, this program is a bargain.

Believe it or not, I am not blaming the Mint here.  They are simply doing what they have been required to do by Congress.  Since I feel the need to blame something I'm going to go with the ol' standby of Congress.  Some may cry "Foul!" at this since its like kicking a horse when its down but they deserve it so I'll pile a little more on.  They legislate that the US Mint has to try and increase the circulation of the dollar coins while spending as little money as possible while not helping out the Mint one iota in terms of phasing out the dollar bill.  Courage is not their strong suit.  From what I remember from the article (I don't have it here in front of me at this time), the Mint is to use logic to convince Americans to use dollar coins by emphasizing their recyclability, longer life span, reduced cost over a lifetime, etc.  Here comes my pessimism: I simply cannot see the majority of americans seeing an ad on TV that uses this logic and then going out of their way to get these coins to help them circulate.  Remember, most banks don't have them or if they do, in small quantities.  Once you spend them, they get bagged up and sent back to the bank that night.  This article from Coin News says everything you need to know.  Let me distill out the basics:  76% of Americans prefer a dollar bill, 13% prefer coins and 11% aren't sure.  A $12 million dollar ad campaign is not going to change anything (except the balance in the accounts of the Mint).

I believe that by the fall of this year Americans will be seeing ads for the new coins.  If it's going to work, we'll probably see results by the end of the year.

Forcing people to use the dollar coins would be certain to get them to circulate.  Is doing such a thing truly American?  I'll let you all answer that one.