http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/commemoratives/index.cfm?action=LittleRock First time I saw this I wasn't sure what to think of the obverse design of the feet, but after a while decided it was an interesting abstract design that fit well with what it commemorates (the desegregation of public schools; Little Rock Central High School being the first, in 1957.) The reverse has a nice perspective to it. Look forward to getting this one. Any thoughts on the design? Think it will sell quickly? The Marine Corps and Benjamin Franklin commems sold out very quickly, the Jamestown is still available. Hoping I won't have trouble getting a hold of this one from the source. Any got wind of a specific release date yet (ND86 especially, lol...)? The Mint still just says May.
If I saw this coin and didn't know any better, I would think that desegregation occurred in 2007, not 1957. I won't even get started on the design.
While I guess they mean well, as far as commemorating desegregating the school in Little Rock, the design on the obverse could have depicted something other than alot of peoples legs, to have a stronger meaning. I mean, wasnt there anyone in specific that played a major role in this event that could have had their profile on the obverse instead of the design that was used? Seems kind of generic to me.
I think its a neat design but not one of my favorites. It really needs to have 1957 or 50th anniversary or something to the effect on the coin somewhere though. That would actually be the Army's elite 101st Airborne protecting them (America's most elite military division).
Well, I think that is just it, it was a single group, made up of nine different individuals who acted as one. Possibly Elizabeth Eckford who has been individually refered too over time, but mostly they are known collectively as "The Little Rock Nine." And hamman88 - Those are the legs of the U.S. Army. Eisenhower sent them, complete with loaded weapons, jeeps and light armor vehicles, to make sure those students were given entry. The governor of Arkansas had his guard troops, but President Eisenhower, as commander and chief, and a few more troops under his control to use.
And he knew how to use 'em ! Agreed. They have plenty of room above the Happy Feet and below LIBERTY to put the "1957"...
I agree that's what's most lacking, "1957" or "50th anniversary" or something to that effect somewhere on the coin. But other than that think it's a pretty good design. Like the way Little Rock Central High School is depicted on the reverse especially. I remember thinking the Marine Corps commem had the opposite problem; it already had 1775/2005 on the coin, I don't know why they needed a second 2005. Only need the date on there once, lol...
Yes, but then it may be listed as an "ND" coin (No Date) in the Krause. The SCWC (well, my 2004 catalog) sometimes does that even when the year of issue is very obvious from the inscription. As for the Little Rock coin, I agree, it would have made a lot of sense to add "1957" ... Christian
I will collect one of each, proof and uncirculated. I find this the ugliest silver dollar ever and I collect silver dollars! The depiction of little legs and feet walking almost seems to have them walking over the words...desegregation. I know that was not intended, but that is what I thought on first reflection. Such an important time in American history and I find the event poorly portrayed on the commemorative coin. The coin also lacks this: 50th anniversary.
I will also be buying one of each the proof and unc .. if only to keep my collection current. I agree with the rest of you lot.. the design does little to commemorate such an important event in 1957. While showing alegory figures representing 'the little rock nine' on the coin would result inthe images being to small to read well with all the detail that would be needed... the feet just doesnt do the commermoration justice. IMHO - the event itself deserved to be commemorated ... the 2 bodies in charge of the design just did a poor poor job selecting the design on this one!!! (at least on the obverse) does anyone get the feeling this cooin is a 2-tailed coin?? wheres the heads? lol
To each their own I guess... I don't feel the need to get every modern commemorative that comes out, I only get the ones that either commemorate a person or event I find interesting and/or has a design I find interesting. That's why I passed on the Jamestown commemorative; I just think that had an outright ugly obverse. (The silver anyway; the gold one actually looks pretty nice, but it was out of my budget.) This one, while not perfect, is at least interesting, I don't mind coins that are a little abstract. Trying to depict nine people in any kind of detail I think would have made it look too cluttered (see the Korean War dollar for an example of what happens when you try to put too much on a coin, lol...); I think this was a reasonable compromise. And the reverse is really nice. As for heads... we've had commemoratives without a person on the front before. The ones for the old San Francisco Mint was the most recent one (both the silver and gold). In the end of course, only the opinion of the potential buyer matters... buy what you like, pass on what you don't.
true, the SF didnt have a 'head' side, but the desing at least gave the impression of the heads-tails.. the Little Rock commem just doesnt sit well... i just wish the design gave more to the even its commemora5ting. Maybe some of the ideas posted by others.. wording like 50th aniversory, or the date '1957' being included might have helped ... but the mint cant please 100% of the people 100% of the time.. I will get the coins if only for the history ...
Same here... Wnating to keep my collection current and I'm all for the Commemeration, just not big on the design... Yes, It looks like that to me... As someone else said, its been done before... I thought it was strange then too...
I believe this would have been appropriate for the obverse for the desgregation dollar. A depiction of many hands joined together symbolizing unity with a simple inscription: Many voices, many colors, one nation. At a time of great turmoil, unity prevailed. 50th Anniversary of desegregation. 1957-2007
Well there was one that I can think of, Governor Orval Faubus. He was a pro-segregationist and he threatened to call out the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the integration of the Little Rock High School. That was why the Federal government had to bring in the 101st Airborne to protect the "Little Rock Nine", just in case the Governor went through with his threat. Not a chance of that happening though, put a portrait of a person who threaen to bring in the National Guard in to STOP the event the dollar is commemorating?
