CT Members Let's redesign the US Coinage

The CCAC is merely an advisory body. They review designs and give advice and suggestions on designs submitted o them. They have no power to initiate a change in the designs.

An online petition typically carries no weight with congressmen because there is no way to determine if the signers are constituents, whether someone has signed multiple times, whether they are real people (Mickey mouse, donald duck and superman sign a LOT of petitions.), and of course it is possible to get and then simply paste on lists of names. So since online petitions can be so easily faked they tend to be tossed in the trash.

As I have mentioned many times, working on Congressmen may be the hard way to get design change. You have to convince several hundred people to vote for the change. The person to work on is the Secretary of the Treasury. Anything over 25 years old he can change unilaterally without having to get approval from Congress. That's only ONE person you have to convince. And of course that works best when the person in office is going to be leaving, and if they are planning to retire from public office. (He can leave a lasting legacy, appealing to egos works well with politicians, and he wouldn't have to answer to anyone for it.) Back when Lloyd Benson left the post and retired would have been the perfect time.

 

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I would applaud any effort to return Ann Bingham's likeness to the American Coin Scene.

 

Beautiful.

I understand everyones concerns but it's worth a shot.
Jim I will look at your topic Time For A Change In Our Change to see what has already been done.
Funny you used the topic title I was originally thinking of.

People there is no hard in trying. If anything it would be a fun thing to try (apparently again)
If you dont want to take part in it it's fine. If you do, just take 3 seconds of time and post helpful tips. Also contact your local congressman.

I assure you, we can make this happen If we bring enough attention to the matter.
Have faith everyone.

 

Like most, I would love to see a more artistic and relevant take on American coinage. The designs of the past served their purpose, and still, even after over 100 years in some instances, convey a lot of meaning. However, I find myself highly unqualified to even pretend I know what works of art need grace our coinage. I'm not an art or history major, nor am I a nationally recognized sculptor or metalist. We can all agree on a change is in order, but what then? St Gaudens, Brenner, Weinman....they're no longer with us and so far their equal hasn't emerged to cast their artistic skills to the Mint's winds. We might just be paddling up a dry creek.
Guy

 

True, and I the same. But if you have artistic abilities why not at least try.
If you are good with politics why not fight for your beliefs.

How do you think these types of changes happen?
If everyone just simply gives up then it will never happen

 

I agree. I'm not saying I'm not on board, I'm just saying I'm not sure how to pursue it beyond notifying our Congressmen.

 

Well we come up with the designs and our local congressman presents it to congress from there the high and mighty schulpters remaster our work unless someone else has a better idea... I may come up with one

 

Doug, we thank you for all your efforts in this matter in the past. I guess I have a few simple question, if you have a simple answer. How do we get attention with this matter without being lumped together with all the other people or organizations with seemingly simple, one topic concerns being addressed? How do we prevent this letter from getting thrown on the same pile as the ones addressing the need for color change of our interstate road signs, or to ban the use of dyes and perfumes in our bathroom tissue, or the color of lights in the star of the White House Christmas tree? This concern is maybe what keeps many of us from persuing any time consuming campaign.

 

Let's celebrate more political diversity in coinage

What a curmudgeon! Don't you think it is time to celebrate what America is all about, and the individuals who made our great current society. It is time to show our freedoms and diversity?

Let's celebrate some diversity by recognizing more of those who contributed in making lives more enjoyable. Instead of just celebrating the Presidents' Wives', we could probably show a few mistresses. A coin with Jane Fonda would celebrate her great peace efforts currently being recognized by the president. A coin with a female speaker of the house showing leadership. A coin with a Female secretary of state showing negotiative skills. A coin with Judge Judy would depict justice for all. A coin with Dr. Laura would celebrate free psychological advice for the needy.

We need some coinage showing the great freedoms enjoyed by our society.
How about a same sex couple kissing while getting married? A woman driving while on the phone? A panhandler standing at an exit with a sign?

We should probably have coins showing the special organizations who need public support, including MADD, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Breast Cancer Awareness, The Impotent Of America, etc..

We should have coinage showing the great leaders who have changed our Society. How about 50 cent on the half dollar. We could have the "octomom" and her brood on a Silver Dollar.

Awe c'mon, let's show the world what we "stand for".

 

I can only hope, that your suggestions here, are not to be taken seriously and are " tongue in cheek " .

 

I mean, I know we will probably never use Lincoln on the Cent again, here is just a quick little thing that I made. It's horrible...

 

Forgive me Doug confused you with someone else on CT. Will read review and continue your efforts. Glad to know you have (or have had) political connections. However sad to see no real progress has ever been made. I still think we should not give up. It is a fight worth fighting. I thought we live in a country that is by the people for the people and if the people want a change we deserve it. But sometimes my paranoia of 1982 comes true when the government laughs at our suggestions.

All for following through on our constitutional right to withdraw from the union say I...
Just kidding! I dont want the FEDS showing up at my door labeling me a terrorist.

 

It's progress and it's the first design people have posted. So +10 CT points! (See my posting in CT suggestions on Penny Mans Suggestion for a better CT)

 

Unfortunately, the fact to face is that there is already a system (CCAC & CFA) in place to get "citizens" involved in coin design. They are not really the public, since they are a small board of individuals hand-picked by the government to represent "the people". The one thing in their favor is that they are experts in their fields. They are professional numismatists, historians, sculptors, metals experts, bankers, etc. They are a group of people uniquely suited to do what they do. I hate some of the designs that they recommend, but that doesn't have as much to do with them as it does the designers. It is like presenting someone with four lumps of mud and saying "Now, pick out which one is the best lump of mud." Mud is mud, so the end result will always be mud, regardless of the recommendations of how to improve on it.

Back on topic, though, there is a system in place and since Washington is soooo flexible about changing their procedures, I doubt you'll get anything more than a form letter. i.e. "Thank you for your interest in the design of our country's coinage. We value your opinions and will take you recommendations under advisement. If there is any way we can be of service to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us." As Doug has said, it has been done in the past and will continue to be done in the future. Great ideas, though. It is said that Edison tried out over 6,000 different light bulb filaments before he found the one that worked. Keep it up!

 

I hope you are in no way insisting we write up to 6,000 letters to our elected officials before we get a non-generic response... because I believe it may take that!!!

 

Sent this to my Legislature:

 

This is what I am talking about, if it takes 6,000 attempts then let's get 6,000 people to write a letter or two.

Someone will word it properly enough to get something done regarding the matter. Coinmaster I applaud your lovely letter and motivation.

I have personally sent corresponding letters to CNN, The white house, my local congress representative, the CCAC and will continue to do so.

I also think that if we provide visual examples of what "we the people" want to see it would be quite beneficial to our cause.

I will be creating a website without ad's for our cause, anyone who is willing to assist is welcome to provide their "Two Cents!"

Keep up the good work my fellow CTers

 

Doug may I have your approval to utilize some of your resources you have put fourth in our cause?