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Old Feb 20, 2011, 1:31 pm
  #13453  
darwin76
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by Cheapskate Travels
Tongue in cheek, right?
No, it wasn't.

Originally Posted by Cheapskate Travels
What about the blind? Is it inconvenient for them?
That way of thinking presents a false choice. There are other options besides (1) money totally inaccessible to the blind, and (2) differently sized bills.

What about texture, tactile patterns, or raised bumps?

See, we can accommodate the blind without having to force a massive inconvenience on the vast majority of the population who has to put up with the stuff.

It'd be interesting to know how much hard cost is generated by missized currency, both through increased printing complexity, as well as bills wearing out too soon when the edges become torn.

When bills are evenly sized, there is no weak point around the outer edge to receive the brunt of the wear and tear. When bills are differently sized, the edges of the largest bill wear quickly in pockets or equipment.

The costs borne by those using cash acceptance and handling equipment is also extremely high. In fact, in the US, a federal judge has already ordered currency to be printed in different sizes for ADA compliance, but that order was stayed solely on the basis of the unreasonable burden to the vending and banking industries who have to handle the stuff.

Originally Posted by Cheapskate Travels
Color and size variations of currency, as well as other security features, seem to be pretty consistently implemented throughout most of the world without too many "headaches".
The headaches are there, we just don't hear about them. Nobody is taking to the streets to protest grotesquely mismatched sizes in currency. Anybody with a serious hatred of the stuff has probably switched to credit/debit, while everyone else just puts up with this nuisance just like all the others, from rotten service and waiting at the DMV, to hideously complex tax forms.

Of course, many of the politicians don't care how inconvenient cash becomes. A good number of them have been bought off by the banks and card networks, while a sizable portion of the remainder is fantasizing over a closely monitored cashless society.
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