Most Beautiful US Coin Design by Denom (poll)

Just curious what you all think is the most beautiful US Coin Design for each major denomination (not including half or large cents, 2, 3 cents, 1/2 dimes, 20 cent pieces nor gold).

Listed below are my top choices in terms of artistic beauty for each denomination. It's interesting that 5 of the 6 were being minted in the 20's and 30's ... I guess that would make the early 1900's the golden age of coin design in my book.

The walker half design has actually lost a little bit of appeal for me because i have seen so many tens of thousands of ASE's with the same design -- but its still hard to beat.

The morgan dollar was tempting but i actually love some of the old dollars from the 1790s (esp the small eagle back)

The other tough one for me was the shield nickel that I have always liked, however the buffalo is such a romantic design rich in history.

 

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Nice!

 

- Peace Dollar
- Walker
- SLQ series 1
- Mercury Dime
- Buffalo
- Flying Eagle cent

 

Morgan
Capped Bust
SLQ
Barber dime
buffalo
flying eagle

 

St. Gaudens
Peace Dollar
Walking Liberty
Flying Eagle
Seated Liberty

 

F.E. Cents
SLQ
Walkers
Merc's
Sac. $$$
& of coarse Wheaties

 

I believe the early 1900's are know as the golden age of coin design in many books.

 

Anyone remember this thread?

It was a very good year

Coincidentally, I would choose every one of the designs from 1916 plus the Peace Dollar for my choice.

 

Unfortunately, the best designs are excluded from your list due to denomination. "(not including half or large cents, 2, 3 cents, 1/2 dimes, 20 cent pieces nor gold)"

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yes, I hear you!

go ahead and post the other denominations then (either here or in a new thread)

I think the Indian head $5 and $10 gold are hard to beat ... and the $20 St Gaudens I think is considered the most beautiful coin ever.

As for the other odd denominations ... feel free to post!

There were some votes for the wheatie lincoln ... i can see that ... it's a great back ... and how can you beat old abe!

and support for the flying eagle ... i always thought it was strange that was only minted for 3 years ... its a nice design too

and the barber series is nice ... looks like a greek god or something.

 

And 1916 was a very good year for coinage design according to Roger Burdette, who wrote three books on Renaissance of American Coinage: 1905-1908, 1909-1915, 1916-1921.

 

that is a great thread ... thanks for reposting ... it's cool to see the coins by year.

i agree that it's the coins of the early 20th century (1916) that brought most of us into the hobby ... such a romantic era for coin designs

 

the good old day of coin minting plus a few others things.

I love that frost on that 23 peace dollar.

 

Given the groundrules, I'll agree with the OPs list. Each is a beautiful work of art.

 

Yes this post bring back some great mementos and great designs!
and brings back that youthful feeling of finding a great coin in change!

 

If I had to rank coins by best design I would say:

1. Morgans

2. Walking Liberty

3. Buffalo Nickel

4. Standing Liberty

5. Peace Dollar

 

What he said

I was thinking all the pre~mentioned ones except the SLQ.

Guess I have just seen so many used up ones because the design rendered them susceptible.

But my favorite designs by domin?

What Marshall said, IMHO.

To replace the SLQ, in my mind, would be a silver SBA cut into quarters.

 

You nearly nailed it IMO. I prefer the first type Bust dime, the rare 1796-1797 half, and the flowing hair dollar.

 

aren't morgan and peace the same denomination? :whistle:

i agree with peace for the dollar, walking liberty for the half, and standing liberty for the quarter, but i think draped bust for the dime, liberty head for the nickel, and flying eagle for the cent. just my opinion.

 

Yes. I said rank by best design