Living People Depicted on Coins?

The following quote is from an article today about the potential Presidential $1 coin series (http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/27/pf/new_dollar/index.htm):

"That means by 2018 or so -- when Bush and Clinton would be in their early 70s -- the United States could break a long-standing tradition that money only honors the deceased."

I'm very curious to hear folks' opinion of breaking this long-standing tradition.

I like that the hallowed place on our coins has so far been reserved, generally, for revered historical figures (founders) and national symbolds (Liberty). On the other hand, making a coin for each past President avoids the difficult, contentious, and partisan issue of deciding which past Presidents merit a coin. However, I find myself leaning against having living people, even ex-Presidents, on currently circulating coins, though I am having trouble figuring out exactly why I feel this way.

Looking forward to your comments.

Dymaxion

 

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I'd rather not depict any president on our circulating coinage.

 

The US is just going against tradition there.

It was always traditional to depict individuals upon coins until they snuffed it, then they'd be evicted straight off and replaced by their successor.

Whether it be kings, queens, popes, dictators... etc.

 

if, say, there was an Elvis commemorative, would that count?

I hear he's still around!

 

Elvis will never die!!!!!!!!!

 

We need to write every congressman regarding Rep. Castle's insane idea of depicting every President on coins.

Take a look at this famous living couple depicted on "their" coin:

Coin LINK

Makes Susan B. look "cute".

 

I partly agree with Midas.

We should indeed write to every Congressman and Senator.

But not to oppose the idea. To back it. It will be something new and exciting, educational, and will promote coin collecting.

So my friends, write your Congressman and tell him/her you support the new dollar coin!

 

As I said in a previous similar thread.....coins I do NOT want to see that'd just about make me toss my lunch:

Trickie Dick
Slick Willie
and Dubyah.

 

Circulating issues or commems?

 

I think there has only been one coin depicting a living person. That would be the Shriver Special Olympics Dollar of 1995.

 

This is a very good point. I agree that a past Presidents series might be fun and educational, and mmaaaaaybe I don't even mind if the ex-Presidents depicted on the coins were still living.

But what if sometime in the future, say, the coin series "caught up" to the living then-CURRENT President? Would those of you that support the Presidential coin series support having the current sitting President on a coin?

That is where I think it crosses a line for me. I think the reasons cited above by GDJ for not having political leaders on coins is important. I'd much rather have Lady Liberty on my coins that our all-too fallible political leaders. Not to mention the fact that if the (then) current President was on the coin, some might argue that such a position of reverence would be an unfair advantage in future elections (as well as free campaign advertising).

 

u guys want Clinton on a coin or nixon??????? i dont

 

Jimmy Carter!

 

sorry spider-gonna have to disagree w/ you. i live in memphis, and in my opinion, the whole Memphis/Elvis moniker is waaaaay overrated. I agree, it would be cool to be put every past president on a coin.

 

Former President Bill Clinton already appears on coins,but not on those from America.I know of one British Commonwealth country that issued coins with President Clinton on them - the Hutt River Province Principality! The coins commemorate President Clinton's inauguration back in 1993.

Aidan.

 

I think in general new coin designs are good for the hobby. Seems to be a lot of new coin designs lately though, hope it doesn't becaome overkill. From an educational perspective having all of the presidents on coins sounds like a good idea. The annual proof sets are going to be huge for 2007 and 2008 though. There will probably need to be 3 lenses for the coins. I recently bought 2 of the proof set collectors boxes from the US Mint for my proof and silver proof sets that I have been collecting since 1999. If the proof sets need to include another lens they won't fit into my boxes and I will have 2 empty slots in each. Kind of dissapointing.

 

How bout one 6-inch coin w/ all the presidents on it.