Martin Luther King cent ?

I am frankly sick firstly of the unchanged design of the cent obverse (for now 99 years), and the discrimination shown on the current US coins, by no Afro-American having been pictured on a regular series. Why can't we have a regular circulation coin honouring Luther King, who is far more important than all others pictured (with the possible exception of Washington)

 

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I second that.

 

I vote no.

Speedy

 

Although I in no way am diminishing Dr. King's work, especially on the anniversary of his assassination, I think the role Jefferson played in writing the Declaration of Independence and contributing to the Constitution, FDR's role in helping to defeat Germany and Japan in WWII are more important in making this country what it is. I think a nice commemorative would be nice.

 

I vote no as well. Last time I checked Martin Luther King wasnt a President. So why should he be on a coin. And lastly he is NOT far more important than the other pictured. Hey while we are at it why dont be petition the mint to make a coin with
Louis Farrakhan on it!

 

:computer:

 

he should get a commemorative coin, but not a regular release for circulation. while he was definitely important, he is not more important than all others pictured.

 

I agree with the commemorative

 

I can envision a commemorative perhaps on the 50th anniversary of his death. But actions by a few since his death have detracted from his vision and tainted the message, in my opinion that is... Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakan, etc. You gotta remember, one can got from one unpleseant extreme to another very quickly.

 

I have no problem with having him on a COMMEMORATIVE coin. On either the 100th anniversary of his birth (2029), or the 50th anniversary of his death (2018).

Last time i checked neither were Franklin, Susan B Anthony, or Sacagawea.

 

I know Franklin, Susan or the Sac arent presidents...lol DUH......but would much rather see them on a coin than King

 

I dont dissagree with MLK being on a coin, but I dont think its right to say that he is fair more important than any of the presidents. True he did a lot of great work, but theres nothing he did on a scale with the presidents on our coins. Lincoln ended slavery and unified the country. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Roosevelt led our country victoriously through WW2 and I believe he was the one that created Social Security. Washington led our troops through the Revolution and set many precidents as the first president. JFK stopped the country from being wipped off the map by peacefully ending the Cuban missile crisis. Not to be rude, but how many wars did MLK win, or prevent?

I would like to seem some more diversity on our coins though and I think MLK would be a good choice.

 

somewhat of a tangent but........

speaking of changing obverses on coins, has anyone heard of the attempt to get Reagan on the dime?

 

thats news to me. do you have a link to the story?

 

No, my coin shop owner heard of a petition for it. I'll see if I can find more info.

 

And why is that, exactly?

Instead of focusing on other individuals who have possibly detracted from his image, why don't we forget about that and focus in on the fact that MLK Jr. was a great man who did a lot of great things, including prevent a looming (at the time) race war (that counts as war IMO).

Personally, I would love to see him on a circulating coin...better than another dead white guy.

 

That's been the wish of a lot of people for a long time, but so far no action. However, the mint just announced that there will be a Reagan commemorative.

Commem $1 Coin Proposed for Reagan
Establishment of a Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission with a $1 commemorative coin produced from February 2010 to February 2011 is one of the requests before Congress.
Full Story

 

Just today, in the New York Times, David Brooks (who is a conservative) wrote a column describing "the triumph of King’s early-60s style of activism over the angry and reckless late-60s style". King shouldn't be blamed for the excesses and boorishness of some of his successors.

The full article may be read here: The View From Room 306

I'm not taking a position one way or the other on whether he should be on a coin.

 

I read that they tried to do is in the early 2000s, and gained a lot of ground after he died, but then they abandoned the idea for some reason. I believe, but dont quote me, that Nancy said that they agreed that they didnt want to see Regan on a coin?

 

YES! I would like to see MLK on a coin. An MLK cent would be interesting, perhaps as a special reverse to the Lincoln cent.
This would honor both Lincoln for emancipation and MLK for civil rights. Perhaps even more interesting would be to
have yet another special issue with LBJ on it. Hey why don't I submit this idea to the mint - they seem to be in
an exuberant coinage mood these days !