In sidestepping the absurdity that was my differential equations class…

I’ve always wondered the intrinsic value of the quarter.  In limiting this thought process to only the city and college campuses, what is the actual value of the 25 cent quarter?

I write this now because a young mother stopped me on the way to the library asking for quarters for the parking meter.  I only had two, which I would have gladly given up, no problem.  She had a cute daughter, I didn’t mind.  But after some resistance, she gave me a dollar.  I paid $0.50 to get $1.00.  In what other circumstance would I receive double my “investment” instantly?  If I had given her only one quarter, would she still have given me a dollar?  Honestly, I think not, I think I would have been out 25 cents.  Which would be of no concern to me, it’s only a quarter.

But say I was concerned in being out that quarter.  I do have coin-operated laundry machines in the basement of my apartment.  Quarters are indeed valuable to me too.  In fact, I often steal quarters from an understanding benefactor (I still owe him some coffee…).  I’ve lent some quarters to roommates, refusing nickels and dimes in return, insisting on quarters at a later time.

I feel like in the case of the quarter, it’s not exactly a coin representing monetary value.  It’s a means to get parking and laundry, and there’s a premium on the quarter.  Seeing as how I won’t take 25 cents in nickels and dimes, more than willing to take a dollar for two quarters, and also willing to pay in coffee for quarters (which can simply be swiped on my debit card, rather than use change), I think that establishes some sort of premium on the coin.

I think that premium is a bit high too, but still nominal.  Paying double for the value of the coin, woah that’s steep!  But, it’s only a dollar.  Stealing 8 quarters, wow jack pot! I can do a load of laundry!  Ah, $3.38 for a latte, no problem (and, if I use dollar bills to pay – that’s two quarters in return! double jackpot).

I feel like a whole thesis could come of this.  I would enjoy it, too.