I did an experiment 2 weeks ago for a mainstream magazine article I am writing. I bought $100 in U.S. $1 *coins*, and tried to use them to buy items (I live in the U.S.).
I really messed up and didn't videotape the results, as the taped reactions would have been worth a LOT more money than my article is worth. While most people accepted them as the legal tender that they are, two store clerks called the cops on me. One insisted that I gave her two "gold quarters" (I bought $1.34 worth of candy, so gave her 2 $1 coins), while another said that I tried to give her chocolate gold leaf wrapped money.
In the latter case, the scary thing is that the officer who showed up had to call the situation in before being instructed that yes indeed there is such a thing as a $1 gold colored U.S. coin.
It's still going to be one hell of a fun article to submit
