The trillion-dollar coin thing is about the debt ceiling, which is separate from appropriations. The current shutdown is about appropriations. Congress hasn't

The trillion-dollar coin thing is about the debt ceiling, which is separate from appropriations. The current shutdown is about appropriations. Congress hasn't given the authority to spend money. The debt ceiling is a separate process, authorizing the Treasury to borrow money (so that they can pay for the things they required in the appropriations). That's pretty absurd, requiring spending but not paying for it. The platinum coin as a debt-ceiling workaround isn't a terrible idea. But it won't open the government right now.