One of the reasons I love coin collecting is I also love history. I am looking for articles about the reaction of people and the press when new designs were introduced. I am curious how the introduction of coins like the Flying Eagle, Indian cents, Shield nickels, Liberty V nickels, Buffalo nickels, Mercury dimes, etc were received. I have looked through The Numismatist archives and found a couple of articles. Anyone have a please to look? Yes, I know, nerd alert!
It's pretty much the same every time, most people hate the change and want to go back to "classic designs". Ironically coin collectors in general hate change
An exception to that may be the Barber coins replaced in 1916. Although technically well-executed, the design was almost universally disliked and people couldn't wait to replace them after the legally required 25 year minimum. Interestingly, Barber's first patterns weren't bad, IMO, but the mint director rejected them in favor of the final design we got. (disclaimer: I collect Barber dimes) What might have been, Charles Barber's Columbia pattern:
There are snippets in lots of places. I think you just have to dig into the series you're interested in. For example, Bowers' Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins has a long section in the front on the design process and subsequent reviews in the press. They originally held a contest in 1891 to design the new coins and it was a mess. It's an interesting story. I'd imagine any major newspaper probably had something to say about new coin designs.
That is where I would search. Newspaper articles of the day should be a good gauge of public sentiment.
