Can't Get Excited About US Coins

The only two US coins I actively dislike are the Wisconsin quarter and the shield cent.

The shield cent is just plain ugly and as an ex-pat Wisconsinite the silly cow and corn is embarrassing, especially when compared to the alternatives that were offered.

I grew up searching for Lincoln cents and Mercury dimes and love everything about those designs.

The trend toward more and more simple designs, such as the shield, has discouraged me a bit. Limiting Lady Liberty to precious metal coinage is a pity.

I think the U.S. coin designs are majestic and focused on the core tenants of the country's founders. That is why characters, such as Presidents, Lady Liberty, or Sacagawea, are depicted along with national icons such as monuments, bald eagle, or state landmarks.

I agree that the coins by non-U.S. mints provide more diverse designs. Colorized, Glow-in-the-dark, multi-metal, Mythical Creatures, and chinese zodiac are among those options available outside the U.S.

However, the coins have their own history which lends to collectible interest beyond bullion value. For example, steel pennies are a nice piece of history when the country needed to save copper for war time manufacturing.

As an American, I appreciate the artistry and history of U.S. coins. I don't pretend that I would appreciate a Canadian, Australian, or Chinese coin as much as a native citizen.

I think it really comes down to each individual's opinion of what constitutes a good coin.

Collect what you love!

"...a bunch of boring dead people..."

Washington was one of the primary driving forces in the foundation and formation of the nation which came to be the world's major superpower in the twentieth century.
Franklin and Jefferson were world-class intellects and political and economic visionaries who played key roles in the foundation and formation of the country.
Lincoln freed the slaves and kept the country intact, which made him one of the most important civil rights and racial equality advocates in all of western history.
FDR led the country out of the Great Depression and in the fight against Hitler's war machine and is probably the main reason German isn't the official language in the USA today.
Etc, etc, etc...

And yet, all that the depth of your insight enables you to come up with is "...a bunch of boring dead people..."?

It seems to me that your perspective is myopic, shallow and uninsightful.

I find it amusing that the Washington quarter was introduced to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth--eighty-one years ago. How long is this bicentennial observance going to last? Till the 300th anniversary?

That's my two bits' worth.

as a wisconsin resident, I think the cow is fitting, we are the dairy state, cows are everywhere! is it embarassing to you because the cow is such a silly strange animal(moooooo) or what? I suppose a bear or wolf would be more cool! but really dosent mean much to the state...... ya know?

I don't dislike modern U.S. coins--I collect silver Kennedys and Lincoln Memorial cent varieties, among other things--but it would be nice to see a contemporary rendition of Lady Liberty introduced on a modern circulating coin.

What you people over there need is lots of coins with OUR dead Presidents on them.
And for us, a bunch of new coins with your Queen on them.

There is plenty to like about U.S. classic coins, just for aesthetic reasons.
How about an album page full of Walkers or St Gaudens double Eagles in MS62 or better?

Actually, I have been fascinated by ancient coins for decades. Even when they are in way less than perfect condition, there is still plenty to find out about each individual coin.