Are Canadian coins spying on U.S.

Canada does have more coins than the U.S., the $1 loonie and $2 toonie coins being more prominent than the various U.S. dollar coins.

However, the U.S. Defense Department has cautioned its American contractors over Canadian coins with tiny radio frequency transmitters hidden inside.

The government said the mysterious coins were found on U.S. contractors with classified security clearances on at least three separate occasions between October 2005 and January 2006. This happened while the contractors traveled through Canada.

No one is accusing the Canadians of doing the spying. But if someone is spying, they seem to think the Canadian coins would not be suspected. Then again, the CIA has acknowledged using hollow, U.S. silver-dollar coins to hide messages and film.

I think the average citizen has nothing to fear when carrying around Canadian money. I know many travelers who are barely or briefly into Canada won't even exchange money for Canadian money (not for that reason). They would rather pay a bad exchange rate for purchases than be bothered. Part of the joys of traveling are playing with different money.