I am curious - currently working on designing a US type set coin album. I have been looking at various coin images but struggle to pick two. If you had a choice, what would you select? Perhaps some brief comments would be highly appreciated as I don't know much about US history.
The Saint-Gaudens $20 gold definitely would one of my choices. In 1904 President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to beautify U.S. coinage and proposed that Augustus Saint-Gaudens provide a new design. Once done, it took until 1907 to get Saint-Gaudens design into production (foot dragging by the U.S. Mint's chief engraver, Charles E. Barber is suspected) but Saint-Gaudens failing health pushed the project forward. Many, including me, believe that this design is one of the most beautiful coins in U.S. history.
St gaudens the 20th c. Draped bust for early. And they made a lot of seated Liberty coins and Morgan dollars. So their both classics. And I personally love the design of the trade dollar
Any gold coin wouldn't be my first choice since majority of collectors can't afford them. Well, unless your type set coin album includes gold. IMHO Barber and large cents Liberty heads are iconic. Also Morgan dollars and Seated Liberty designs. I`d also consider Liberty bust from reeded edge halves 1836-1839.
I am thinking of somewhere along the lines of featuring Native Indians as well. The Buffalo nickel comes to mind.
If by "iconic" you mean "widely recognized and well-established" (Merriam-Webster), then what about the Indian Head Cent?
Wow, iconic US coin images. When I think of US coins, (warning longish list), I think of: 1. Buffalo nickel 2. Indian head cents 3. Draped bust coins 4. Seated Liberty 5. Barber 6. WL half 7. St Gaudens $20 gold 8. 1850-1907 $20 gold 9. Mercury dime That is my "must have". Second tier might be: 10. $St Gauden $10 gold 11. Indian $5 gold 12. Oregon Trail commemorative 13. Liberty head $2.5-10 gold 14. Capped bust half 15. SL quarter 16. 1830-1857 Large cent Can you tell I am not a huge fan of later coins? If you want to do modern coins, make sure you get them higher relief, like from the 60's or earlier. Sure, flowing hair coins are great, but very pricey. That would be my idea of a US type set. Maybe throw in a few other beautiful early commemoratives.
Almost any design prior to the President head designs. Some are better than others, but IMO, all iconic. Even the Helga V nickel design.
Buffalo Nickel - Rugged design masterfully executed by renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser Morgan Dollar - Big, beautiful, famous design, probably most widely collected silver coin. $20 Saint - Saint-Gaudens produced not only what is often considered the greatest US coin design, but many students who would go on to design coins. Lincoln Cent - Probably the world's most ubiquitous coin design. Not sure how many zillion Lincoln cents have been made since 1909. Half a trillion, or so, I suppose.
Then it would probably be Morgans, Lincolns, Buffalos and Indian Head Cents. Maybe throw in Walking Libertys with SAE s being popular. (I'd personally use any those designs minus the Morgan)
