Do we want to be noticed?

If a fifth grader said he would put his mother on the $10 bill, that would be sweet.

If a candidate for President says it, what would you call it?

It is great when a numismatic topic breaks through to the general population, I have always thought.

Now I am not so sure.

In the Republican Presidential debate on Wednesday night the candidates were asked who should be on the $10 bill.

This is a current events topic thanks to the recent actions of Women on $20s and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew’s response to them that will lead to a woman being put on the $10.

So far so good.

But if you are presidential candidate and are asked that question, what’s the best way to respond?

Most played it in a straightforward manner and showed a knowledge of both current events and history.

Rosa Parks was chosen by Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Ted Cruz – though Cruz answered in a way that conforms to the wishes of the Women on $20s organization to recommend replacing Jackson on the $20 rather than Hamilton on the $10.

Sen. Rand Paul said Susan B. Anthony, which shows a knowledge of history, but probably sent a shivver down the spines of coin collectors who recall the dollar coin with her portrait on it.

Abigail Adams was chosen by Gov. Chris Christie and Clara Barton was chosen by Gov. Scott Walker.

A couple of candidates gave the historical figures approach a twist.

Jeb Bush suggested the late prime minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher.

Gov. John Kasich said the late Mother Teresa.

I don’t think foreigners are going to make it onto U.S. paper money. Does suggesting that they should demonstrate out-side-the-box thinking, or something else?

Dr. Ben Carson chose his mother. Mike Huckabee suggested his wife. Donald Trump said his daughter, Ivanka, or Rosa Parks.

Carly Fiorina named no one and called putting a woman on the $10 bill a gesture. She clearly thought the question was neither sweet nor useful.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper has twice won the Numismatic Literary Guild Award for Best Blog and is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."