(2003-11-08) -- France today lodged a formal complaint at the United Nations over the new design of the U.S. nickel. The reverse of the new nickel commemorates the bicentennial of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, when the U.S. bought 800,000 square miles of French territory for four cents an acre.

"The government of the United States is taunting France," said French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin (who is man), "They think it is très drôle that they put one over on us. I will remind the jackals that in 1803, four cents was real money. One could take his girlfriend to a movie, buy popcorn and share a Coke for four cents."

A spokesman for the U.S. Mint said the coin was not meant to mock France, "although you can't help but think that if it were 1803, and you dropped one of these nickels in a French vending machine, you would get more than an acre of land."