Let's face it: American money is kind of boring. In Australia bills come in a rainbow of colors, and coins even feature kangaroos. In Japan some coins have holes in the middle. And on the island of Aruba, some are square!

Now there's a plan to add pizazz to your pocket change. The green dollar bill is here to stay, but quarters may be getting a makeover.

Last month the House of Representatives approved a plan to replace the American eagle on the back of quarters with 50 new designs, each honoring a state. If the Senate passes the bill quickly, as expected, and the President signs it, the new coins will begin rolling out in 1999. Each year for 10 years, five new quarters will appear. States will be honored in the order they joined the U.S.

Congressman Michael Castle of Delaware proposed this plan. He hopes the program "will be educational for people of all ages." Kids especially are excited about the idea.

"It's nice to have a change," says Shannon Vinson, a fifth-grader from Baltimore, Maryland. "I'll collect all 50, for souvenirs and show-and-tell."

That's exactly what the U.S. Treasury is hoping for. Quarters cost just a few cents to make but are worth 25¢ when you spend them. If people collect them instead of using them, the government will keep the difference. It could add up to more than $5 billion. Not exactly small change!

What will the new quarters look like? A citizens advisory board will help decide, but the Treasury will have final say. Will the Grand Canyon appear on Arizona's coin? The Alamo on Texas'? So far, only one thing is certain: George Washington stays. That means the "tails" side of the coin can't depict a person. No one wants a two-headed coin!

Daily News from TIME for Kids

October 10, 1997 World Report