MLK on the cent

The July 20, 2009 issue of CoinWorld had a VERY interesting commentary on page 14 (read it if you haven't already). The idea was that it was time to modernize the cent. If you didn't read the article here are a couple of pieces from it:

• Abe had 100 years on the cent to honor him including the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves. MLK took that same ideal and took it to the next level ensuring that all Americans have equal rights under the law with the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.
• In essence, MLK took the torch lit my Lincoln and brought it to the next level!
• "Think about it: The cent is a coin that even the youngest and poorest of us can own, and it is the only coin 'of color.'"
• Obverse a portrait of MLK, reverse perhaps "And justice for all."
• It is time to show the world how far we've come and this is a way to modernize the ideals that Lincoln stood for by honoring MLK for the next 100 (or 50) years.

I personally think it is an incredible idea. I suspect some of you won't, but I'm interested to know your thoughts. I personally am going to write my congressman about this and invite all to do the same.

So, am I on an island here or do others think this idea is terrific?

 

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I don't like the idea, in fact, I hate it.
Just another move for political correctness.
Stop putting dead people on coins, I don't care what they did, this is ridiculous, bring back liberty, please.

 

I appreciate your opinion, Travis, but calling it "ridiculous" is a bit strong, don't ya think? I realize that I may be in the vast minority on this issue, which is fine.

 

The term ridiculous wasn't towards them putting Martin Luther King Jr on the cent, it was more towards the government, and how they put dead people on coins, "Lets honor him, no him, no him" it is bull in my mind, more liberty and bald eagles, less dead presidents, and less ways for them to find political correctness, I think that is what is really ridiculous. Do I agree on putting Martin Luther King Jr on anything over the next guy? Cannot say that I do. But I don't prefer anybody over liberty, and freedom, and the ideals this country was founded on

 

I agree with tmoney, the day of the truly beautiful designed coins are over. Them old coins are what got me started collecting in the first place. To me the newer coins of today are terribly designed, especially the new dollar coins. They almost look fake, hard to explain.

 

I agree as well. Hey why not Michael Jackson on a coin or Ed McMahon or ...

Let get back to the roots of this country and honor what it was built on. Not the people from popularity polls.

 

Put MLK on a commemorative. That's what commemoratives are for !

His visage would be much bigger on a 50c or S$1. It seems a higher honor than a 1c.

 

Agreed. Didn't Washington dislike the idea of real people being on coins? If the Mint really wants to carry on tradition, how about bringing that concept back. Bringing back Liberty (and no, not Liberty Medical's Wilford Brimley) on the coin would be the best thing they did in a long time. Of course, they'd probably find a way to ruin it. For instance, they'd have a nice obverse of Liberty on one side and some nasty looking modern building on the reverse. Then they'll start edge lettering it and everything.

 

I agree with a commemorative or art medal placement, especially since MLK Jr. was a religious leader of a specific faith. Lincoln should be phased out from the cent.

I would also like to see a move away from presidential portraits or narratives on coins such as the recent/current: westward journey, formatives, iconic symbols of the states on quarters, etc., because we'll end up seeing silly Washington chopping down cherry tree mythical coins before you know it.

A return, at least for a few generations, of allegorical portraits and symbols of LIBERTY or national symbols of freedom, eagles, torches, shields, etc. would be very nice to see again in coin. Modern interpretations of these symbols would be markedly different than the classic coin types usually referred to in citing these designs because every era portrays their history and symbolism differently. It's high time!

 

I don't like it

Personally I'd prefer a period where no actual person is depicted on our coinage. Go back to some stylized versions of lady Liberty, or even just an appealing artistic concept. Other nations do that and their coins can be quite beautiful.

Nothing against Dr. King. Fredrick Douglass would be a better choice if you wanted to honor an African American. At least he was a contemporary of Lincoln.

 

How about a cowboy and a colt45 on the Obverse and a wild horse on the back. : )

 

I'm leaning with the Commemorative group also.


How about this Lady Liberty on a cent.....

 

That is a heck of a lot better than MLK...

 

I have no problem with putting MLK on a coin. I kind of think it is a good idea. And I see no reason not to. And I don't think it has anything to do with political correctness at all. In fact, I think THAT is bull.
However, I do agree that our coins started going down hill in 1909 when Abe hit the cent. Washington was right not to want to be on a coin. And we never should have put him or other dead guys on coins in the first place.

 

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I dont like the idea

 

What do those three stars that Lady Lib is looking at represent in your design?

 

I like what bob said about how far we have come, I also like what others have said about honoring ideals rather than idealizing real persons.
So why cant Lady Liberty be a black lady liberty?
Model her after pam grier

 

Liberty certainly represents all colors.
We could use an art medal of Pam Grier as well.

 

That's a much better idea. People don't belong on circulation coins. They belong on commemoratives.

 

Why does she have to be? Nobody said a black person couldn't represent lady liberty, but why would it matter?