U.S. Mint To Hold Design Competition for 2018 World War I Commemorative Coins The U.S. Mint has shared details for an upcoming competition in which contestants will be able to submit obverse and reverse designs for the 2018 World War I Centennial Commemorative silver dollar. The winner will see his or her designs and initials included on the coin, and receive a prize of $10,000. The contest is open to all citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age. Each applicant can submit up to five samples via digital portfolio between February 29 and April 28. From this larger field, a group of experts will select 20 artists to move forward with obverse and reverse submissions for the commemorative. These finalists will be given $1,000 each for labor and materials, and will be required to submit a plaster model to accompany their designs. The contest and the commemorative coin were authorized by Public Law 113-212. A $10 surcharge for each silver dollar will go to benefit the World War I Centennial Commission, which is charged with commemorating the centenary of the war. Unlike the recent design competition for the Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins, the law stipulates that the winning contestant will be chosen to design both the obverse and the reverse of the new issue. The competition is part of the U.S. Mint’s 2018 World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Program and will operate at no cost to taxpayers, as required by law. The Mint cautions artists to submit original designs that will present well on the coin’s 1.5-inch diameter, as well as appropriately reflect the centenary of the war. While the initial phase of the contest does not specifically require contestants to submit either obverse- or reverse-ready designs, submissions should “display their suitability for the competition,” according to the Mint’s FAQ. Artists will be asked to submit obverse and reverse designs during the second phase of the vetting process. Dates for Applicants to Remember: Applications Open: February 29, 2016 Application Deadline: April 28, 2016 Artists Notified if Selected to Submit a Design: May 31, 2016 Design and Plaster Submissions Must Be Received By: July 31, 2016 Winner Announced: January 2017 More information on the contest, including rules, evaluation criteria, and an overview of America’s role in the World War I, can be found on the U.S. Mint’s expansive multi-media home page for the program.
Reading between the lines........ The Mint is looking for someone to design these coins because all of the artists who currently work for the Mint SUCK! Chris
No worries, mate. No matter how many times you post it, I still do not take offense. Everyone has different tastes.
Aside from the fact that really wouldn't do the commemorative justice, we can surely do better than reusing a design. If not it's time to cancel everything but circulating coinage.
Considering some of the junk the Mint has produced in recent years, an old reliable design might be a valid answer.
I am optimistic about this one. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the baseball competition. Maybe the answer should just be more design competitions instead of letting them do it.
They still have a write up about the process on the mint web site that you can find here https://www.usmint.gov/batterup/?action=baseball
At least they aren't commemorating the start of the war like Britain did. Curious how what afterwards was said to be "The war that will end all wars" didn't do anything like that statement.
I'll probably give it a go. One thing about this competition that I like is that the selected artist(s) will be asked to submit an actual sculpture instead of just a graphic. The US Mint hasn't done it that way for a long time.