Up here in the great white north, we've had the dollar
coin since 1987 and the two dollar
coin since 1996 (much like the Euro). We have started changing all the bank note to polymer bills which should be completed later this year ($5 up to $100). We have also discontinued the penny and changed metal types in many
coins recently.
I think inflation, cost savings and counterfeit are the main reasons for all of the changes. It hasn't been easy dealing with all the changes, but I would say worthwhile. I can't imagine not having the $1 or $2
coin and I'm warming up to polymer (they don't tear easily, keep their shape better and stack in half the space). Happy to see the penny gone too. Sorting and dispensing quarters must be a real pain.
Tokens here have pretty much disappeared (I don't know of any carwashes here that are
tokens only).
I think there are too many special interest groups who mess with progress...