Medvedev Shows Off Sample Coin of New ‘World Currency’ at G-8

Bloomberg (Link) - Lyubov Pronina (July 10, 2009)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev illustrated his call for a supranational currency to replace the dollar by pulling from his pocket a sample coin of a �united future world currency.�

�Here it is,� Medvedev told reporters today in L�Aquila, Italy, after a summit of the Group of Eight nations. �You can see it and touch it.�

The coin, which bears the words �unity in diversity,� was minted in Belgium and presented to the heads of G-8 delegations, Medvedev said.

The question of a supranational currency �concerns everyone now, even the mints,� Medvedev said. The test coin �means they�re getting ready. I think it�s a good sign that we understand how interdependent we are.�

Medvedev has repeatedly called for creating a mix of regional reserve currencies as part of the drive to address the global financial crisis, while questioning the U.S. dollar�s future as a global reserve currency. Russia�s proposals for the G-20 meeting in London in April included the creation of a supranational currency.