My proposal for redesigning the American coinage.

The USA once had so many varieties in its coinage, particularly in the late 19th century, so this is my idea of redesigning the current coinage.
1. Ditch the penny
2. The nickel retains the same size and shape, but it will have Lady liberty (similar to the one in Mercury dime, but without wings) on the obverse and the classic buffalo on the reverse.
3. The dime has the seated liberty on the obverse like in this pattern coin https://sep.yimg.com/ca/I/uspatterns_2270_36665103 , I'd prefer the breast to be exposed tho! the reverse depicts the Liberty Bell.
4. The quarter depicts an Indigenous face, but this time an actual person, Sitting Bull on the obverse. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitting_Bull, the reverse shows a grizzly bear, similar to the one in Canadian coin.
5. The Half dollar portrays Martin Luther King, Jr. on the obverse with a flying bald eagle holding an olive branch on the reverse.
Before going into dollar coins, it is assumed that the production of the one-dollar bill has been ceased.
6. The one-dollar coin will have the shape and size of an Australian 50 cent coin (slightly bigger than the half dollar, but not as big as ikes), portraying standing liberty, similar to the US administered Philippines peso https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces4634.html and a full seated portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the reverse https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312...28d50a_k.jpg
7. A bimetallic $2 coin the size of half dollar, featuring Morgan on the obverse with the image of George Washington crossing the Delaware River on the reverse.

 

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What are you getting at here?

 

The US Mint is not going to change our coins to some classic design. The trend today is towards feel good, warm and fuzzy stuff that the young people can relate to. Most of them have no concept of the history of the US and the people who drove it. All too many of them never even grew up here. They don't spend change and want a big variety to accumulate as what they think is a collection. It's like Beanie Babies.

 

If they're on clad planchets it makes little difference to me what their design is.

 

I also prefer allegorical designs to designs with real people and monuments. However, I think change will be gradual and would need to start with one coin at a time.

The nickel is the coin that seems most overdue for updating, and I expect that we'd still have an eagle or wreathed denomination on the back. Maybe an eagle's nest with 5 eggs/chicks? Or is that biologically unlikely?

 

Bald eagles produce between one and three eggs a year. That would make that very unlikely.

 

This is the Age of Offending. If a new design "offends" anyone it will never be adopted.

 

So I guess that's a no for having Carlin's 7 Words on the reverse of the new quarter?

 

I say, return to the pre 1900's and be done with it. Stop changing the designs.

 

What we really need on coins is to get rid of the dead presidents. Yes I prefer the nice older artistic designs of Lady Liberty. That might be offensive to someone so it will never happen.

 

Keep the penny in the mint and Proof sets. It's the only U.S. coin that has been issued with consecutive dates from 1793 to present, except of the odd year 1815. That probably means something to some collectors.

 

If you want to have new coinage designs that are attractive and usable for future generations, make them rectangular to look like a cell phone. ~ Chris

 

For all practical purposes (not intended to be political) you are not going to remove presidents from our coinage and put Martin Luther King on one coin. Ain’t happening.

 

That's not what I said.

 

No, it's what the OP said.

 

Completely agree. But getting rid of DP images is not politically acceptable. If their portraits are removed from coins or bills, too many folks will considered it disrespectable.

Cal

 

+1

 

You are correct Jeff. Thank you.

 

My apologies @Santinidollar. Obviously I thought you were referring to my post but I was mistaken.

 

Unfortunately yes they will.