|
Our small change hasn't been worth anything for nearly 50 years. It's not as bad as the Japanese system, where fractional-Yen coins were simply eliminated in the '50s, but it's bad enough. W
Would we be better or worse off if we knocked off a zero or two? It would make the value of a successful counterfeit that much higher, but it would also, by reducing the volume, make looking at each banknote easier. With a careful redesign, it should even be possible to automate the detection of funnymoney.
I started thinking about this because I want to sell my car on ebay or craigslist. It's a 10yo Honda Civic with only 42K on it (I drive about 300 mi/yr these days) and in very nice shape with air and a good sound system, so it should sell quickly. I know that taking a personal check is the height of risk-taking, but it's also the case that crooks are "buying" cars for chop-shops using fake certified checks, too. What if the prospective buyer offers me a bunch of hundred-dollar bills? They're the prime target of counterfeiters these days because they're now nearly as common as the $20 was 20-30 years ago. So I wonder: can I even stay safe if I specify cash only? Is there any way not to be taken to the cleaners by a clever crook?
|