To the non-US posters: the US has had a dollar coin since 1979, but it was (and is) a flop. They are very rarely seen in everyday commerce. But this year the US Mint is making a huge push to get the new "Golden Dollar" accepted into daily use. Canada has been successful in implementing $1 and $2 coins because they discontinued the paper equivalent when the coins were introduced. That didn't happen in the US probably because Sen. Ted Kennedy represents the state where the company (Crane) that makes the raw paper for US currency is based.
On the legal tender issue, there is no Federal law mandating establishments to accept any and all forms of legal tender. In fact, they can choose to take only credit cards if they want. If it was me, I would make a stink and say that is the only money I had. In most cases, putting up a mild fuss will get them accepted. This is a continuing source of hilarity in the rec.collecting.coins newsgroup as people relate stories about trying to spend the new dollar coins. I have had fun with this myself, and recommend it highly.
Wangel, the coins are indeed meant to be spent. People will save them, up until the time when they become commonplace. It's true that the Mint books a "profit" of over 90 cents on each one, but they are going to make over one billion of those coins this year, enough for every American to have a couple. They will make another billion next year, etc. Eventually they won't be such a curiosity. Plus, the Mint would prefer that they become used since that would mean more work (=bigger budgets) for the Mint, and less for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing which makes the paper money.
Relf, you can see pictures of the dollar coin
here.