Reagan the new face of the $10 bill?

[911SC Pilot]

Conservatives will push for image of 40th president to grace $10 bill, $20 bill or dime.
June 8, 2004: 11:23 AM EDT

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Ronald Reagan's face could one day adorn the $10 bill or half the dimes minted in the country, if fans of the late president get their way.

USA Today reported Tuesday that Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., plans to sponsor legislation in the Senate to have Reagan's image replace that of Alexander Hamilton, the nation's first treasury secretary, on the $10 bill.

Meanwhile, an effort is underway in the House of Representatives, led by Rep. Dana Rohrbacher (R-Calif.), to put Reagan's face on the $20.

If either effort is successful, it would represent the first change of a person on U.S. currency since 1929, when the nation's paper money was standardized in size and general design. Although various anti-counterfeiting measures have altered the look of paper notes since then, the principals depicted have not changed.

The proposal has the support of Ronald Reagan Legacy Project, which is headed by Grover Norquist, an influential conservative activist.

Democrats in Congress may not be ready to embrace the idea, though none has publicly declared opposition after Reagan's death Saturday.

A change would require majority votes in both houses of Congress. In the Republican-dominated House of Representatives, passage of a bill seems achievable, according to Washington sources. In the Senate, however, cloture rules would allow the Democratic minority to block any legislation.

Proponents of Reaganized money, however, are proposing an alternative to paper money: coins. Unlike decisions about notes, coinage can be changed at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury.

Over at the Treasury Department, however, lips are tightly pursed on the notion of honoring the 40th president on money. "It's premature to get into any discussions about it, including discussions of process or timing," said Ann Woman Colton, a Treasury spokeswoman.

But GOP activist Norquist said he has already had discussions with Snow and senior White House staff about the idea and found no opposition.

If Reagan is not put on the $10, an alternate proposal is to have half the nation's dimes carry Reagan's face, with the other half continuing to honor Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The idea of removing Roosevelt from the dime altogether in favor of Reagan had enough opposition, even from Nancy Reagan, to be dropped, USA Today reported. But the Gipper's fans think giving equal time to Reagan and FDR strikes an appropriate compromise.

One person opposing removing Hamilton from the $10 bill is Ron Chernow, author of an acclaimed biography of the revolutionary war hero and founding father.

He told USA Today that he believed Reagan would have objected to the snub of Hamilton.

"Hamilton was the prophet of the capitalist system that Ronald Reagan so admired," he was quoted as saying.

[singpilot]

There's a bill that will burn a hole in the pocket of every liberal in the country.

[techweenie]

In keeping with the Reagan heritage, will it say "$10" but only be worth $3?

[84porsche]

Politics aside, if this replaces the old $10 bill, currency values on the older bills will increase for collectors. I have some bills from the 1950s and I think it is amazing to see the changes in currency from one decade to the next.

[lendaddy]

Tech, actually it will follow is legacy. After 8 years it turns into a $50.

[techweenie]

lendaddy: Tech, actually it will follow is legacy. After 8 years it turns into a $50.

A $50 debt?

[lendaddy]

$40 increase to infinity

[juanbenae]

better idea right here--> how about we go with a mount rushmoore thememed bill? we go bush squared and ronny. that way we can have a great republican bill that spends. oh wait we alreay got that.

[vash]

actually, you take the reagan $10 dollar bill in huge wads, and you give it to a bunch of really rich people. that in turn lets the rich people feel really good, so they go shopping, hire domestic help, vacation. so some less rich people that own stores, contract out hired help, own hotels, and airlines feel good, so they go to less expensive stores and shop, hire out individual domestic help....blah blah blah.....

[island911]

So what is the "10" significance? (10 dollar bill, or dime)

I would think he would be best on a 20. (Reganomics was all about the velocity of money.) .. . .the 20 would be most fitting.

[techweenie]

Then I guess a $6,800 bill might be best.

As I recall, that's every family's share of the Reagan deficit.

[rcecale]

Originally posted by techweenie
In keeping with the Reagan heritage, will it say "$10" but only be worth $3?

Hey, TW,

I'll give you $3.50 for every one you get....that way, you can come out ahead!

Randy

[todwic]

The Present should replace the face that isn't a Presedent. Ben May have been the wisest man ever spawned, but he was never a pres.

[azasadny]

I'd personally like to see it and a few other "old faces" brought "up-to-date"...

[campbellcj]

I think it's almost time to put the $1000 note back into print. Hell, after all, what does $100 get you in p-car land anymore? Let alone the "domestic help" or even regular grocery runs.

[MrPants]

The thing that bothers me most about this is he would replace Hamilton. Hamilton rocks, hes like Jefferson, except smarter

[vash]

hey, hamilton never thought up the wonderful "star wars" program! now that was genious. you get some satalites and float them into orbit, arm them with lasers and missles. and then develop the worlds most elaborate tracking system. sophiticated stuff, powered with the most powerful pentium 386 you can find. that way, any commies shoot missles at us, it will be just like a regular skeet shoot. safety for all americans, forever! now just what the heck happened to such a wonderful idea? reagan trumps hamilton for sure. two words: star wars.

[techweenie]

"ey, hamilton never thought up the wonderful "star wars" program!"

Neither did Reagan. It was the invention of a handful of top science fiction authors meeting at (I believe) Harlan Ellison's home. I think some of them were suprised it was taken seriously.

[island911]

Yeah, "Starwars" . . .nothing ever came out of that because the idea was too absurd. . .too challenging.

We should have listened to you enlighteded nay-sayers, cuz now we got nuth'n. Rrrrrright.