I'm a heretic and I'll admit it: I HATE the new coins (almost ALL of them) They look like carny tokens to me. What rubbish!
I like the 2005 Jeff obverse, but hate the present one. Additionally, I really like the shield design on the cent reverse.
The decline began with those ridiculous dollar-coins and the "womyn" they represent. I favor anonymous Lady Liberty over slave-owners, too. But at least the old Jefferson & Washington were 'classical' portraits. And don't get me started on the Monopoly notes,either!
Why they made Thomas Jefferson look like Peter Lemongello in 1976 on the 2009 coin is beyond my thinking capacity. That design put an end to my Jefferson collection.
(For some reason, I mentally 'hear' the Mighty Mouse theme when I see it.) [video=youtube;kGx94VPb8V8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGx94VPb8V8[/video]
I like the shield also, although I didn't at first. I also like the ATB quarters. Can't think of any that I actually hate. I do like some more than others.
I know that collectors love variety on the ATB Quarters (ya, ya, I get it.) But none of these coins 'look' real to me: more like tourist souvenir spoons. And the plethora of designs! They all 'look fake' to me. Schmaltzy:
There is some consolation for those who don't like the style of the various current coins and that is the fact that as the system of payments continues to become more and more electronic, the less you will see of coins in circulation in general in the future.
What "Style" are they?? Why, they are a Modern Coin Style depicting real people and /or events. The other "style" was a "Classic" style which depicted Liberty and contained classic design elements.