From Numismaster, with images: "A new medal will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Made of 1 ounce silver, it will carry the words “Always Remember” and the years 2001-2011. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts reviewed 10 obverse and 16 reverse designs for the medal on Feb. 17." More ...
Don't know if I'd consider any of those designs "classic". I'm having a hard time understanding their symbolism. Is there a special significance with the site or event and oak leaves? Guy
I don't know the CFA members thoughts, but your question about oak leaves could be why obverse 10 and reverse 16 were chosen instead of those with trees. 'Classic' may refer to the somewhat abstract images of Liberty, the eagle (for strength), and the water that is apparently part of the memorial; the first two often used on early U.S. coin designs (though this will be a medal).
these all look like they were designed so that fifty years from now no one will know what they are supposed to commemorate.
The actual coins will not support as much detail as are shown/offered in these illustrations. The structural columns 'tridents' of the Towers look like tuning forks in these renderings or they are just too bulky in coin design. I'm curious how the 'black' tridents design (R-11) was proposed for the finished coin-- paint/enamel, proof finish... The Memorial shown on the commemorative seems a bit odd for something being built in memorial at this time and for future completion. Its a place/space that most are not yet familiar with from personal experience and seems odd to attempt artistic rendering of now. An artist/designer should know a place not just base it on architectural design schematics for inspiration. All of the numbers on these designs (statistics) seem irrelevant to the human tragedy and I would prefer them gone or down played as design elements, but of course never forgotten. I'm not crazy about the 'strength' symbol of the eagle employed on the commemorative. Anything implying 'stripes' from the US flag seems too overly American-patriotic when the events of that day affected, many, if not all peoples of the world, directly or indirectly. The acorn symbol seems like it could lend itself to the least insensitive design element above many others. Reminds me of the '60s peace movement sending acorns to world leaders and planting seeds for peace. Just my two cents.
I do like that the designs are not over sophisticated and crowded, but I feel the symbolism is a bit confusing on some of the designs. If I had to pick from the designs listed, NSM-O-09 is my choice.
I don't have a problem with the selection of #10 and #16, I'm buying. Eagles are always cool. I would rather have the seated liberty versus the one they chose but they could have done worse. And what the heck do pitch forks have to do with the WTC?
