I am a frequent visitor to the Netherlands.  Prior to the adoption of the Euro, 
I found that I had to take a little more care when handling the Dutch currency 
compared to the currency of other countries - their series was 5c, 10c, 25c, 
1G, 2.5G with 5G, 10G, 25G and 50G notes.

In contrast, the Euro was well researched in terms of ergonomics - it has 1c, 
2c, 5c, 10, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2 coins with €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and 
€500 notes.  The 1c and 2c coins are very small and two countries (Netherlands 
and Finland) do not use them, otherwise the coins are well thought out - each 
has a different milling pattern.  The notes are all different sizes, each 3mm 
higher and 6mm longer than it predecessor.  There is however a question as to 
whether €200 and €500 notes are needed.  

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ziser, Jesse
Sent: 26 April 2008 06:12
To: U.S. Metric Association
Subject: [USMA:40800] Re: Unknown series

--- Pat Naughtin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> On 2008/04/26, at 9:43 AM, Ziser, Jesse wrote:
> > The Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences calls it the  
> > "Hyperinflation Sequence for Banknotes".
> > http://www.research.att.com/~njas/sequences/A051109
> 
> 
> That is surely a fancy name for a relatively simple series. I wonder  
> whether the choice of the (1, 2, 5, …) series has anything to do with  
> limiting how many coins or notes are given as change during a cash  
> transaction. I find the (1, 2, 5, …) series easy to handle for this  
> purpose than the (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, …) coins used in the USA, but this  
> may only be because I am more familiar with Australian coins.

I don't disagree with you.  I can see how the U.S. system of denominations 
might not be the best. 
I wonder whether the fact that the US was one of the first countries to use 
decimal currency means
we are likely to have a less refined system than others.  Incidentally, the 
"50" in that sequence
is very rare.  I've only seen a few half-dollar coins in my life.  The dollar 
coins were pretty
rare too, until they were recently reintroduced in "golden" form.



      
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