My recent thread about my new coin design has sparked a heated debate about Presidents on US coinage. So I've decided to create a poll to see what everybody thinks. Do you like having the US Presidents on US coinage?
A resounding NO ! In my opinion our coinage should the ideals of our nation like liberty, freedom & equality. Showing honor & respect to our past leaders and other individuals who have played a significant role in the history of our country should be done on commemoratives - that's what commemoratives are for.
I've said it again, and I will once more. "liberty, freedom, & equality" are what the US Presidents represent themselves.
Mercy sakes, Old Dan... Don't get me started.. I'm having enough trouble as it is with Ed Zak... just kidding... Ed's opinions are as valid as mine... Now, if we can just get you to see the light....
Hahaha, we shall turn you to the dark side with our cunning thoughts and mind provoking statements!!! Lol, j/k. I respect your opinions, and thoughts...but I still think mine are better
If we put presidents on the coins ,lets just have the ones who had sex with an intern Im sure that is a great Historical moment that needs to be remembered on a coin, or maybe the ones whos brother urinated on the whitehouse lawn, or was caught burglarizing hotel rooms. or maybe the ones who took away the peoples right to own gold bullion ? you know our founding fathers fought and died for our freedom and liberty , and our right to govern ourselves not be governed, when we return to that basic premise ask me again about presidents on coins ,until then Lets try and remember what it was that we possessed due to a desire for freedom and independence not just by presidents but By all of the people and that my friend is symbolized not in the likeness of a single man but in the symbols that are a result of that desire. Rick
There are a couple coins here you may want to see... http://www.clickslink.com/resources/clinton_quarter.html -Bobby
Today Presidents represent POLITICAL parties, special interests groups and their own agenda. Sorry I can't agree with you as they are all in the same little club and we are being sold a bill of goods! Doesn't it always amaze you that they can talk so filthy about one another during an election year and they are best buddies right after it is over. It is all just an ACT nothing more and nothing less. It is about money and power, not representing us or our countries ideals, and about making more of the same for the same!
No. It probably is best on third world countries as a means of communicating who is currently in charge, but an 'enlightened' population like U.S. citizens should have something a little more meaningful, something of our heritage rather than an endless procession our past political or military leaders. Indian head, buffalo, Liberty in a couple dozen forms, stuff like in the way distant past. The Sac dollar is on the right track, the ASE is great but not new, I think there is enough artistic talent available to come up with something really exciting for each denomination. It's pitiful that only old time politicians should have that honor. That isn't really what America is all about (is it?).
The presidents are our heritage. All the presidents on the coins preresent a time in history, also all the presidents are the ones that have done major feats in our nations history. Lincoln led us through the civil war, and was assassinated. Jefferson, though a strict constitution follower, bought the Lousiana Purchase, and defeated the Barbary pirates. Roosevelt led us through the Great Depression and World War 2. Washington led troops in the Revolutionary war and was the first ever President of the US. Kennedy led us very shortly through the cold war, and the cuban missile crisis, and was also assassinated. These men, each one of them, represents a different time in US history, and I can think of nobody better to represent the US on our coins other than these good men. And lets not forget the reverse side of the coins, which honor our country also. The lincoln memorial, Monticello, the Louisiana purchase, the Louis and clark discoveries, the buffalo, the olive brance, the American Bald Eagle, all 50 states, and again, the bald eagle. Along with the Presidents, these represent American history, heritage, and honor.
E Pluribus Unum means "Out of Many, One or...One from Many". THAT is what this country represents as a whole. The President is one of many. It is why we don't live in a dictatorship, monarchy or 3rd world banana republic. Consider this: "E Pluribus Unum" was the motto proposed for the first Great Seal of the United States by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson in 1776. Over the years, "E Pluribus Unum" has also served as a reminder of America's bold attempt to make one unified nation of people from many different backgrounds and beliefs. The challenge of seeking unity while respecting diversity has played a critical role in shaping our history, our literature, and our national character. It is a main reason why this motto appears on our coins! Presidents don't represent Liberty, Freedom and Equality. This country of many does. Their job as Commander in Chief is to defend, protect and perserve the country as well as carry on his responsibility as head of the Executive branch. Another thing to considder...since Washington and Jefferson were slave owners, they couldn't believe in equality for all. Even Lincoln during his debates with Douglas stated clearly that he felt that blacks and whites were not equal. Historical record will show that many Presidents did not live up to the premise of liberty, freedom and equality...but as a whole, this country represents your premise and hence a symbol should remind us all what this country is about. So with that said, I rather see something like this on our coins that represent all and this country. I respectfully vote NO!
Coinjoe I STILL disagree! We are honoring the men, NOT the country and it is time for a change. Our coins are collected all over the world and we are passing up an enormous opportunity to present our country and our values on those little advertising billboards we all know as coins! I have repeatedly had to tell foreign collectors, whom I have traded with, just who those fellows are on the coins they received as they don't have a clue, as you and I well know, their names are NOT on the coins! To foreigners they are just a nameless face from the U.S. who did apparently did something some time ago. Many countries at least identify the individual's portrait on the coin and we can't even do that! While I agree the Presidents should remain on our paper bills, and be commemorated on the same, I will demand until the day I die to remove them from our coinage. After you get past Washington most of the LEADING of our troops or our nation was done at the oval office where it is safe and sound. Like it or not most Presidents happened to be in the right place, or wrong place according to your thought process, at the right time in history and that determines their historical standings and importance. They must take the cards they are dealt with by a world usually in turmoil and most don't ask for what they actually get themselves involved in but must make the best of any given situation at any given time. History will then determine the importance of any specific event and be duly recorded. The Presidency is a JOB with great pay and perks and having that job for 4 or 8 years doesn't necessarily make you a great man or leader. We could go down the list and none of us would agree on the same great Presidents as we all have our favorites. Off the top of my head, lets take Jimmy Carter? Good, bad or great? Worthy of a coin? I hope you see my point!
OK, I voted no. To me only symbols of freedom, liberty, unity or some great thing or occurrence directly related to the U.S. of A. I dont think people (individuals) should be on coins especially non Americans like Columbus.
Ed zak, just because they had slaves doesnt meand that they dont believe in equality. Jefferson treated his slaves well. crystalk64, your point is well taken, but every coin is a lesson in history. I believe that with no name on the coin, it presents a learning opportunity for younger people, and people not from the US. They learn who the person is, and what they did so greatly that desrved to get them on the coin. And yes, being President is just a job. But its a job where your life is on the line, with the will of the people behind you. The people vote for the president, and thats one of the things that makes this country so great. Some presidents, as I am sure you will agree with me here, did better than others. And some did a very terrific job, to earn them a spot on our coinage and glorification forever. And I do agree, that some of the presidents could be removed, but they should be replaced by other presidents.
Joe I think most people don't want persidents on coins for many reason...One some people don't like some presidents and some want something eles than dead persidents that have been on our coins for YEARS...I'm near your age and can see some of what you mean...ask your mom or dad or somebody waht one president they don't like...that would be one that they would not want on a coin...I respect all of our persidents as they have helped our country but I don't even like some of the ones that are on our coins now... Speedy
But just because I, or somebody else didn't like a president is no reason to not put them on a coin. Whether I, or the other person, like it or not, that President did his duty and served his country, and contributed to its history.
Joe After I helped in a campaign I understand more about how some people can care less even after the guy has help his country in every way there is-- NOW I'M NOT SAYING that the people that don't want this kind of coin do not care about the president...I don't want these coins and I think the presidents are great....I think this kind of coins would hurt the hobby more than it would help. Speedy
Everyone - and I do mean everyone - is entitled to their own opinion. And no one else should ever try to talk them out of it or into changing their mind. For the right to have that opinion is one of the great ideals on which this nation was founded. There is no right or wrong in a discussion like this - there is only opinion.
That is true. I created this thread to see what people think, and defend my stance on the US presidents on coins.
