I'm Sick Of Presidents!

The problem is that the a vast majority has no idea what is written on the coin, only who is on it, if they even know that.

Well said.

Sadly, I feel you are right.

Changing any of these portraits is a political nightmare, especially if there is an attempt to use someone that is not a member of the political ideology the current effigy represents (for example, replacing Roosevelt with Reagan).

In reality, they cannot choose anything but Lady Liberty! Even that has its own political pitfalls. Both of the current political ideologies have statist views towards some portion of Liberty. Something that Lady Liberty would not tolerate.

Moderator note: I know this post is probably an invitation to open up the discussion. I have no problem splitting this off to General Discussion if anyone has a need to tell us how they really feel.

I could care less about what the symbol of Liberty represents, or what people's reasons are for wanting it back on our coinage, I just don't like the ugly Presidential profiles on coins and want to see a return to artwork on coins. It doesn't necessarily have to be an image of Liberty, it could be wildlife or other natural scenery, or perhaps some other important historical figures. Or maybe we should just have a coin that says "United States of America" on one side and the denomination and the year on the other side.

About the Silver Eagle designs, I think it's cool that they've brought back the Walking Liberty for those coins, but that doesn't count. Those aren't circulating coins, and a majority of the general public doesn't even know they exist. I didn't even know about them until a few months ago, and I'm still a bit confused about what exactly their purpose is.

If it's legal tender, and it has a face value, shouldn't you be able to use the coins to pay for things, even if they aren't intended for circulation? I thought legal tender was "for all debts, public and private." Of course the amount of silver in them is worth much more the face value of the coin, but so is the amount of silver in pre-1965 quarters and dimes, and you can still use those in everyday transactions.

Syaoran, you can use an American Silver Eagle to pay for things--it would just be foolish to do so because of the silver value.

There are plenty of things the US could put on its circulating coins that wouldn't involve dead presidents or other human figures. I think the Treasury is on to something with the America the Beautiful designs we're seeing on the reverse of new quarters. There are lots of uniquely American treasures that could be featured--maybe even get our buffalo back in circulation for a while!

AMEN

And this the problem. His cent started it all!

"How is it that Lincoln is on a coin, but the Father of our Country is not?" Hello, Washington quarter!

"Washington and Lincoln would be nothing without the Declaration of Independence..." Hello, Jefferson nickel!

"The man that has led us out of the Great Depression and through a World War has departed us too soon..." Hello, Roosevelt dime!

"Another forgotten father?" Hello, Franklin half dollar!

"We have lost another great leader before his time... Sorry, Ben, but Kennedy was a President, and you were not." Hello, Kennedy half dollar!

"Roosevelt would have lost the war had it not been for another great leader..." Hello, Eisenhower dollar! I am so glad to have met you!

The push for a circulating Reagan coin has been met with a lot of controversy, as there are no remaining lesser beings (that is, "non-presidents") to displace. I like to believe that any President would (should) prefer the image of Lady Liberty as a more fitting tribute to their legacy.