What was the last great US coin?

CoinDude: <<If I had to stretch I would say the Franklin but the truth is it was the Walking Liberty. The Mercury Dime, SLQ and Buffalo Nickel ended the GREAT era. >>

MaineBill: <<Or we get another president like teddy Roosevelt who wants Americas money to be beautiful!>>

Teddy Roosevelt very much wished for Augustus Saint Gaudens to design all of the nation's coinage, from the cent to the DE. Some sketches relating to possible designs of lower denominations survive.

Unfortunately, Saint Gaudens became very ill and died in 1907. As I point out in a post above and in my articles, A. Alexander Weinman, the designer of the Merc and the Walker, was an assistant to (and essentially a student of) Saint Gaudens.

Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 8: Mercury Dimes]

Paddy54: <<I have to say the Buffalo Nickel .....it's true Americana showing respect to the heritage of this nation. >>

I repeat that the designer of the Buffalo Nickel, James Earle Fraser was, too, an assistant to Saint Gaudens. Furthermore, Fraser designed many medals and sculptures. For example, he is the designer of the Navy Cross medal, which represents the second highest honor that a member of the U.S. Navy may be awarded.

Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 9: Buffalo Nickels

MaineBill: <<George Washington himself did not want to be depicted on the first us coins. He said it would make him seem too much like a king which was what they just revolted against. So for over 100 years we had nice coins. Then they came out with the Lincoln cent. I wish they'd made a mandate not allowing portraits of leaders even deceased on coins. >>

Yes, Washington was very much opposed to the idea of being depicted on coins. For more than 100 years, female personifications of liberty on coins were intertwined with the overall culture of the nation. Although I have fond memories of collecting Lincoln Cents, I agree with much of what MaineBill says in his cited post.

GeekPryde: <<In terms of great, already mentioned a bunch, but Ill add to the accolades: Walking Liberty Half Dollar>>

As much as I like Walkers, I prefer Standing Liberty Quarters. I especially like the design of the first type, 1916-17.

Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 11: Standing Liberty Quarters

 

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I like slq too worst problem is finding one with good original color and a decent strike

 

You're telling me, brother. Now, give me a nice T1 MS65 FH with some nice, light, even, golden toning.... *that's* an awesome coin.

Now, to really answer the thread, if we go by start date, I have to say the Peace dollar; by end date, the Walker; and if errors are allowed, the 55 DDO cent.

 

First thing that came to mind, after reading the thread title. I also like the silver Washingtons.

 

For start date the flowing hair silver/ liberty cap cent for end date the walker beyond that everything sucks. The chain and wreath cent are great for their rarity and for their historical importance but there not really good designs

 

Looking for one for my type set looking for all 3 actually just have not seen one that really appealed to me I really don't collect 20th c coins so when I get one for my type set I want a real winner