Got my first "Return to Monticello" nickle today. Let the Mint folks find an ugly Jefferson portrait and pair it with a boring 68-year-old reverse (as ordered by Congress) and come up with new proof of just how terrible design by committee can be.
i concur, it's ugly, at least the former design had a formal look that was distinguished. this just looks dumb.
I was originally excited by the obverse design, but the execution is lacking. The reverse... bring back the buffalo, peace pipe... anything but Monticello. I will applaud the Mint for taking a chance with something other than the typical profile design that we've seen on our coinage for most of the last 95 years.
How long do you think we're stuck with it? Remember that Congress mandated a Jefferson obverse and Monticello reverse. The design could be changed as long as those themes remain, but I don't think they have the brass (or, honestly, the imagination) to.
1¢ obverse - in its 98th year 1¢ reverse - in its 48th year 5¢ - new version of the old design after 67 years 10¢ - in its 61st year 25¢ - lasted 68 years before being temporarily gimmicked up, probably will resume the old design in 2009 50¢ - "Only" 43 years old $1 - Hah!
If they want to do something decent they would ditch the Penny and the Nickel and get serious about a one dollar and five dollar coin, perhaps with real silver for fun in the $5 coin. Also, they would make the ¢50 peice smaller and more useable. How much would $2.50 worth of silver be? Then ditch the one and five dollar bill and make a $500 bill.
He's still here - just under a different user name ,as I was told by Peter a few years back. Gosh ,I do love me some necro-posts every once and a while
