With so much money allocated to "Pork-Barrel Projects", I offer the following thought. The Mints should begin producing high relief coins in "Business strike" as well as Proofs. Two things are accomplished, an aesthetically attractive coin flowing throughout the economy and job creation (larger minting facilities and increased employment). Ponder the implications of such a novel idea and comment on its effects.
Wouldn't they be difficult to stack and roll for counting purposes? The $20 Saint and I believe the 1921 Peace dollar had some issues so the mint reduced the relief on these two coins. Maybe make them for collectors and sell them that way. Not seeing much in the current coinage that would benefit/deserve such effort. Just saying.
Fun idea. I'm thinking that production cost would go up because of a shorter die life. Maybe just do it for the mint sets but that might tick off collectors using albums. You would need a spot for the business strike and the mint set coin. Same that happened with the satin finish, several years ago. Not sure about the problems with changing the current designs over to high relief.
I think it is a bad idea as previously stated by @tibor & @ldhair . Additionally, I don't think a design change such as that which @Robert Ransom suggested would have any overall benefit for employment.
More dies produced because they would wear out sooner, expansion of facilities, equipment and employees to account for the lower production rates, new albums to house the new coins, a probable increase in the number of collectors, new errors to be discovered, more books and articles written, more submissions to TPG's, a more responsible use of Gov't. funds, more items and discussion on CT, etc.
Whereas it would waste more money from the standpoint of requiring more resources to manufacture the same product, I agree that would fit in the "pork barrel" category. Along with shorter die life, you'd have more quality issues in the form of bad strikes. It would be nice if higher relief were used for proof versions of the circulating designs.
But this is my point. edited Lost my train of thought. Spend the money where it will have some benefit.
The unappreciated satin coins were discontinued by the Mint because of finish problems (?) but the enhanced finish coins seem to be more durable. More enhanced finish coins could spike interest. Also, more reverse proof coins might help sales. While I'm on a roll (?) zincolns should be discontinued and copper cents minted just for collectors. Get rid of the zincolns and their lousy composition. That way Lincoln cents would still be minted, but the cost factor would be negated. Even nickels and dimes could be minted the same way, since the pandemic has shown that businesses could round up for a cause, not just for their own benefit. Rounding down would be even better for the consumer, but that ain't happening soon.
I think the mint should carry on with the current designs. The world is coming to the position that change will not be used much. Don't waste resources on ballast that has no real use.
I've thought for years the 'silver proof set' should also contain alternate composition cents, nickels, and dollars. Cent obviously should be the original 95% copper. Maybe the nickel could be the wartime 35% silver, or just go ahead and mint it in .999 fine silver. The magnesium dollar is more of a challenge. I'd rather not see the color change drastically, so some kind of silver alloy that maintains the current color?
How about using an emoji to signify the intent of your comment, ie. joke, smile, wink, frown, mad, etc.