Jingly Pockets

Coins.  What are they're purpose? They are nominal values of money and are heavy awkward burdens in ones wallet.  Why is this Bronze Age technology still in use?  These questions I cannot fathom reasonable solutions.  Yet I do know plenty of ways to rid my self of coins in the coin littered society of the EU (there are 8 denominations of coins commonly circulated as opposed to 5 in the States).  In Ireland however, there are no great Coinstar machines, and coin rolls are replaced by bags, so turning them into a bank can be difficult.  One  good alternative is to use them at the self-checkout at the store.  I had accumulated over 20 Euros in coins (mostly 10 cents) and decided to do some shopping.  It worked out perfectly, and the self checkout screen ironically  asked me if  I "would like to continue with my purchase" after inserting about 40 10 cent coins.  

Yes, in fact I would.

 

Buying food with coins can be utterly rewarding.  This was the haul from a recent VC campaign (Victory-Coin) to the vending machine.

I'll be sure to take back my 9 Pounds to London to put similar coin-reducing measures into effect.