The ruling mandates that the Treasury Department redesign currency only as it determines the need to redesign each denomination in the future. The order specifically excludes two bills right away- the $1 bill and the $100 bill, which is currently being implemented.

The AMOA leadership will closely monitor the issue. The association will object to any currency change that would result in major costly changes to equipment.

--- Again facing public reluctance to accept and use $1 coins over dollar bills, the U.S. Mint has introduced a four-month ad campaign in four key markets, representing the North, South, East and West. If the results prove positive, the Mint will expand the campaign nationally. A $12 million budget will allow the government to advertise the coin as an "environmentally conscious alternative to banknotes. The public will also be urged to "do its part" to help protect the environment.

One key element of the ad campaign is the lifespan of a coin versus a bill. A $1 coin lasts about 18 years, while a $1 bill has a lifespan of two years at most. Coins also have a higher recycling potential, saving the taxpayer money.

Two prior launches have failed. The 1979 Susan B. Anthony coin honored one of America's leading advocates for women's rights. The Sacagawea coin debuted in 2000. She was the Indian girl who helped Lewis and Clark explore the western half of the United States from 1804 to 1806, following the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803.

Removing $1 bills from circulation would save taxpayers $18 million annually. However, discontinuing currency requires an act of Congress. That is unlikely due to public sentiment and lobbying from the American textile industry, which supports paper currency.

The current $1 coin series, featuring U.S. presidents, rolled out in February 2007. They have proven somewhat more successful due to collectors. However, lesser known presidents have received little attention and orders have fallen sharply.

American resistance to $1 coins remains consistent. Consumers complain they are too easily confused with other coins, and are too heavy, noisy and inconvenient to carry.

The Mint plans to issue four new presidential $1 coins each year at least through 2016. The law permits presidents to be honored by these coins if they have been dead for two years before the coin was issued.

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