Ami . wrote:
Changing the designs would only encourage hoarding by the public. It
will have no effect whatsoever on whether or not businesses order the
coins to use in regular transactions, which is an inherent cause of
these coins NOT circulating.

Yes, I agree there would be initial hoarding, but that would taper off
in a year or so.

I think there would be lines of people at banks asking for Kennedy
Golden Dollars and MLK Halves, particularly in large urban cities. Banks
in those large urban cities would likely jump on board and support the
coins to keep their customers happy.

John Q. public doesn't look at the designs on his coins when he receives
or spends them. Who or what is depicted on a particular coin has no
effect on whether the public will find that coin comfortable to use.
The half is dead. There are half dollars available if anyone wanted to
use them, but there are few vending machines that will accept them and
no one gives them in change anymore. Put Kennedy or King on a dollar
"token" and tons will sit in vaults just like the Sac's and SBA's.
People who especially admire MLK or JFK probably already have a picture
of them on the wall and that works just fine.

Bruce