Letter: Coinage

On a trip to Quito, Ecuador last year I discovered after a day of local shopping something interesting in my change I received for my purchases; one dollar US coins bearing likenesses of Sacajawea and Susan B. Anthony. They were well-worn indicating long use and circulation. One merchant told me that Ecuadorans particularly liked the Sacajawea version, calling it “La Indita”. In 2000 Ecuador abandoned the Sucre, adopted the US dollar as its official currency and each year purchases millions of these coins from the US Treasury. I imagine that next year Ecuador will receive new coins bearing the image of a scowling American President rather than “La Indita”. I believe that this is the only country in which this dreadful coin will circulate.