Bi-metallic coin dated 2006 (minted at Noida). Since 1996, Canada has also produced bi-metallic $2 coins (nicknamed "toonies"). Great Britain has issued a bi-metallic 2-pound coin since 1997; and Singapore has issued a bi-metallic 1-dollar coin since 2013. The first ever tri-metallic circulating coins were 20-francs coins introduced in France and Monaco in 1992. These were similar to the corresponding bi-metallic 10-francs coins, but had two rings instead of one. As well as circulating coins, where they are generally restricted to high-denomination coins, bi-metallic coins are often used in commemorative issues, often made of precious metals. For example, the only bi-metallic coin
Trillion dollar coin the other hand, many economists and business analysts endorsed the coin as a way to counter threats by congressional Republicans to force the country into default by refusing to raise the debt limit. Paul Krugman said "So minting the coin would be undignified, but so what? At the same time, it would be economically harmless — and would both avoid catastrophic economic developments and help head off government by blackmail." He also declared the trillion dollar coin debate to be "the most important fiscal policy debate of our lifetimes". Michael Steel, spokesperson of House Speaker John Boehner, dismissed the concept