If the mint were to......

start changing all the current coinage, in the near future, let's say after 2008, to classic designs, such as seated, barber, bust, etc.
I would like to know what design you would like to see on what denominations.

 

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I don't want to see classic designs return to our coins... to me, those designs are like a reflection on the era (not in all cases).

 

Probly the only design that I would'nt mind seeing come back would be the walking liberty half dollar.

This was one of the most beautiful coin designs that was ever produced,,

and I dont think being a clad coin would detract from it.

 

we already have it with the silver eagles.

 

Personally, I would like to see the Flowing Hair design on a modern coin. With the minting processes we have today, I think that would look gorgeous on any coin.

 

Hi 9Roswell

We do not have a coin designed for circulation with this design, My inclination was toward the half dollar I know that we have the silver eagles , but they are not a resurrection of the design of the Walkers,, only the obverse is taken from the design.

 

I have to go along with old Rick in this: the classic coins were artifacts of their eras. (See also National Dealer's comments along the same line from his "Showing Off" thread.)

To me, resurrecting them presents problems. The designs would have to be modernized, just as the new buffalo on the upcoming Jefferson is a slimmer 21st century animal, not the bulky boy from 1913. In fact, just about all of our coins were modernizations in their own time from classical designs known to the Mint engravers from the Mint's own cabinet of ancients. (See Walker below.)

New Flowing Hairs and Busts and Barbers might also lead to yet another rash of fakes made from the new ones to look like the old ones.

I do, however, agree with the sentiment that new Miss Liberty images are very much what we need on our coins. The Statue of Liberty is one opportunity, and there are others waiting.

 

Metalman's point is also well made. We need to think about the reverses, as well. The Barber Dime kept the Wreath of Cereals from the Seated Series. We have a flock of eagles on our coins, enough wreaths for all occasions, one buffalo, and not much else.

We have a lot of wildlife: bighorn sheep, long horn cattle, mountain lions, wolves, alligators... Buildings tend to be static and especially the neoclassical ones that sprout wherever we sow government. I failed J.S.G. Bogg's "I.Q. Test" because I could not tell the Supreme Court from the Treasury Building. The Guggenheim is distinctive. So are Falling Water and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. However, they are privately owned images of private -- not public -- buildings.

We have bridges, but can you tell the Brooklyn Bridge from the Golden Gate?

There are classic American aircraft: the Lockheed Constellation, the GeeBee Racer, and of course the Spirit of St. Louis, not to mention the space vehicles. The Shuttle is the most representative of them, perhaps. Aviation is quintessentially American.

So are computers. The Isle of Man honored the PC about 1984 or so. Again, these are privately created machines, but the Macintosh, the PC, and the Cray are easy to identify from their pictures. A hologram of a large scale integrated chip looking like NYC from the air might be nice.

 

Come on people now ( sounds like a song eh? ) .... Have fun with this, just wanting to see if for a couple of years the mint commemorated those coins onto our legal currency, what you would like on what denomination, I understand all your points completely, and i've often thought about it myself. My main point about this is.... Is that commen folk like me would be able to afford the big flashy pretty coins and am just curious as to what kind of design should go on what denomination..... Well for the others out there, how would you feel about proof only issues, let's say 4 differant type coins included in the annual proof sets throughout the year, I would love to get my hands ( gloved ) on them.

 

I would like to see some of the rejected pattern coins make the transition to circulating coins.

 

Wow, i've never seen any like that before, i'm not too estatic about the second coin, but, the other two I would deffinatley like to have some nice types in my collection if the mint started those up.

 

I would like to see any of those patterns used. A drastic change in design could boost the hobby tremendously.

 

that would be too confusing to me

 

Besides, I bet if they made that drastic of a change, it would only be for a short period of time. Imagine the possiblities.....

 

Yeah, that's what i'm saying, maybe 4 years or so, granted everyone would be hoarding them like you wouldn't believe Especially me

 

Goto the Pattern Collector Society at
http://www.uspatterns.com/

and see these:

http://store1.yimg.com/I/uspatterns_1794_33423924

http://store1.yimg.com/I/uspatterns_1794_18443965

The current standard book is by Andrew W. Pollock. Whitman republished the previous book by Judd as edited by Abe Kosoff, now re-edited by Ken Bressett and available in bookstores. The pictures in that book are small. Pollack remains unsurpassed.

Daniel Carr's "Designs Computed" website at www.designscomputed.com
has this puppy:
http://www.designscomputed.com/coins/cap_100_o_ms_512.jpg

The Gallery Mint Museum has its "Concept Dollar" entries here:
http://www.gmmnut.com/gmm02.html#finalists

 

Thanks MMarotta.

So... Independant mints still make bust coinage, and seated, etc??? Patterns as it's called...

 

That's a fantastic relief. The flowing hair is exceptional. I say release it! I'd also like to see a draped bust coin so I can beat the living crap out a UNC one without worries.

I agree that the walking liberty is the one of the most beautiful designs I've seen minted by any country during any era.

 

OK GDJMSP, I gotta ask...what is that coin?

And while I'm here, I'll weigh in on the topic. I would have no problem going back to the representation images on our coinage rather than real people. Whether it be lady liberty, the bald eagle, or some other image that represents our heritage of freedom, liberty, and democracy. There are still nice coins produced today, but their beauty is limited to the condition and not the subject. The exceptions would be the silver and gold American Eagles and maybe some of the reverse statehood quarters. Not to disprespect anyone, but you can only make FDR, JFK, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington look so good. Imagine reviving some of the old designs but placing them on different denominations. Wow..can you imagine a Mercury half dollar?!!! Just some wishful thinking on my part....