I was asked today by some of our elected leaders, just what type of design should be placed on our nations coins. If we were to revert to an image of Lady Liberty, what design should be used. Should it be a recreation of one past such as those used on the Silver Eagle and Gold Eagles, or should we create a new Lady Liberty. So what do you think? If any of you have the ability to draw, please post a photo of what you would like to see on our coins. I will hand deliver any serious proposal/design to the congressional leaders.
I think a new/revised version of Lady Liberty would be my preference. There are some that love & some that hate the fact that the Lady was used on more than one coin...kind of taking away some of it's magic I guess. Personally, I'd like to see something to reflect our more modern way of thinking, yet keeping her original beauty and elegance. All things evolve and I think she can too. MAybe keep some of her trademarks while incorporating something modern into the design...I'm not very creative...any ideas?
Well I don't think many would be happy if I were to make a version of Lady Liberty. She may end up looking like one of the Barbi twins if I designed the coin Now some guys would probably love it, but I think it might lead to too much hoarding So I will push the idea of good designs, and stay out of the process from that point.
Of course, I would love to see a return of the designs from the golden era of coinage --- the buffalo nickel, winged liberty dime, standing liberty quarter, walker half, and peace dollar. However, to some extent we have already done that with the bullion coins. So instead, we need a new symbol of Liberty on our coins -- but it would have to be a work of art by an artist, not just a project for the current mint engraver. I recall the proposed "liberty" design for what eventually became the SBA dollar. Nice idea (Lady liberty with a cap on a pole, like the 1794 Large Cent) but because Frank Gasparro engraved it, it looked like Ike with a wig! Probably the best approach would be a design competition of true artists competing to design Liberty that reflects a classic style and high art. Maybe the nation could even vote on the best design after a design team whittles is down to 5 or 6. That is what should be on the dollar coin (along with an alloy that does not tarnish easily). If not the dollar, then the half dollar, or whatever can get changed! Finally since we cannot bring back the Buffalo Nickel (were stuck with king Thomas) put the buffalo on the reverse of the new coin. That could be the "throwback" portion of the new coin.
The Mint has brought in artists for just that sort of competition. In the past, the mint engravers have designed most of our coins including the ones you mention. The sculptors brought us the great coins. It seems that our leaders have no clue what a good coin can be. I have taken some of the classics to show them. Everyone agrees that pieces such as the St. Gaudens are the most beautiful, but how do we match that?
Well, perhaps we cannot match the St-Gaudens $20 (although we duplicated it on bullion coins), but perhaps a competition of talented artists and sculptors could result is a comparable design that is just as beautiful and classic.
How, indeed. Saints and walkers are IMO the most beautiful design ever to grace our coinage. ND show them some high grade examples, or scans thereof, to be shared with the artists to give them an idea of the "feel" we're looking for. Just a thought.
I took Saints, Walkers, Seated Libertys, Buffalo's, Capped bust, and even Flowing Hair designs. All agreed that they were beautiful, but are afraid of change. They are afraid if the mint is in charge of our nations coin designs again, we may just lose a dead president. The Jefferson is a perfect example. As soon as the word leaked out that the Mint was considering change (which was perfectly legal) Virginia jumped in and got a law passed that Jefferson and Monticello would remain on the Five Cent coin from 2006 to the end of time. While many are happy with this, I for one cannot sit back and accept it. I am doing everything in my power to make sure we do not lose all of our coinage to this shortsightedness. It is a sad day when forever happens.
Afraid I can't email it Nd - that pic is on my computer that is still down. You can always get a copy from the web site though. But for this purpose I'll go ya one better - I'll loan you the actual coin
Love the design...will work IF we didn't have a paper dollar I am all for eliminating the paper dollar and replacing it with a coin...especially when I am trying to pay for a Coke at a vending machine and I have no ironing board available to "flatten" the dollar bill. You can't have both. The American public for the most part can't handle change in their currency. Shoot...the US Treasury spent over $20 million in marketing just trying to educate the public in changes to the $20 dollar bill!...and they have NO competition. If forced upon like what happened in Europe and Canada, people will complain, but will slowly accept it and move on with their lives. I always ask people (in this day and age when a moran pays for a candy bar in the express line with a debit card), how many single dollars do you have on you? the average is 2 to 3...BIG DEAL! The average life of a dollar is 16 to 18 months...tops! It cost us tax payers over $500 million per year just to produce dollar bills and we all know that coins last over 50 times as long. I love the design posted and I would like the see the size of a dollar coin to be larger than a SAC, but smaller than a Kennedy. Heck, they can use the same alloy in the SAC as an outer rim with current alloy for the midde...a 2 toned coin! That will address those idiots in the American public that always cry, "It looks like a quarter....whaaa"
I would love to see a brand new design such as GDJMSP posted. I am not particularly in favor of rehasing old designs.
