When is Congress going to learn that no general-circulation dollar coin is going to be popular? Very few people would opt for carrying 10 cumbersome $1 coins when they can conveniently tuck a virtually weightless $10 bill into a wallet or purse.

Most people shun John F. Kennedy half dollars because of their size and weight. Likewise, the Eisenhower dollar coins, as well as the Susan B. Anthony dollars that came after Eisenhower, never gained popularity because of the ease and convenience of paper currency.

The latest dollar-coin boondoggle - the gold-colored Sacagawea coin - should have sealed the demise of Washington's dollar-coin fantasy. But Congress continues to harbor the foolish notion that someday the "right" dollar coin is going to catch on for general circulation.

Thus, on Wednesday, by a 422-6 vote, the House approved a plan for the U.S. Mint to begin selling a new gold-colored dollar coin next year to replace the Sacagawea coin, which honors the Lemhi Shoshone Indian who helped the explorers Lewis and Clark find their way to the Pacific Ocean. The Sacagawea dollar, which lacks long-lasting durability and brilliance, will remain in circulation, presumably until its condition becomes too poor for continued use.

The proposed coin, which would be gold in color like the Sacagawea coin introduced in 2000, would bear the faces of presidents. While initially popular with collectors, the new coin will quickly "enjoy" the same fate as Sacagawea and the Anthony and Eisenhower dollars.

U.S. Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., was said to be ready to introduce in Congress' upper chamber a dollar-coin bill similar to what passed the House Wednesday. He shouldn't waste his time.