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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dimeguy, post: 1904062, member: 19855&quot;]Regarding the original question of the thread, &quot;Are modern US coin designs weak?&quot; Being a modern collector I think I&#039;ll take a stand and play devil&#039;s advocate and argue for the designs. </p><p><br /></p><p>Many of the arguments presented regard metal content, the choice of political figure detailed on the obverse instead of liberty, or other such complaints, but the fact remains that the art on the coin is art. Taking the many examples of politicians depicted on the coins for the most part they are well representative of the people they are supposed to depict. Regardless of their contribution to the country or political affiliation I see them paralleling busts or paintings. I like to see a strong jaw line and realistic eyes. Even Franklin&#039;s slightly overweight features through the chin can be appreciated through how he was represented on the half. Taking only the ability of the artist/designer of the obverse of the coin and how well that particular person is represented through metal, I think the modern designs are fairly realistic compared to the actual historic figures. </p><p><br /></p><p>I will say the same thing for the obverse. Many have mentioned prior that they miss the conceptual and symbolic representation of Liberty on our coinage. I argue the figure is still there, but that symbol has changed to a more modern eagle. Sac dollars had one of the best eagles representing liberty. Kennedy half, Washington quarter, Ike dollar all had eagles in various forms of flight in different forms of environment. The concept of liberty is there, it just grew to be seen as an eagle instead of a woman, or in case of Prez dollars, the actual Statue of Liberty. There are also other forms of symbolism on the reverse such as in the dime, the shield or wheat ears in the cent, or even a buffalo on a nickel. These reverses leave much to admire for modern collectors. Furthermore on the topic of reverses, many individuals are in favor of the new America the Beautiful coinage simply because the reverses are so artistic...in no way weak. </p><p><br /></p><p>Now, just like all things I do find some ways in which the modern US coinage design is weak. I do not like the weak strikes. I believe someone already mentioned the 1960&#039;s show much better obverse depictions compared to the newly minted cents. I loathe the spaghetti hair Washingtons and there are some which are not pleasant for me to look at such at the SBA dollars or reverses featuring monuments. Still, overall I think the modern coin is being grossly overlooked from an artistic standpoint.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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