Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits 114 - "Busy" Coins

I've been participating in the "Post Your Busy Coin" thread over in the "Post Your..." forum area for the past few weeks, posting what - IMO - are classic-era US commemorative coins that feature busy designs.

For me, a busy design is one that fills the space available with so many disparate elements that it would be difficult to imagine where additional elements could be incorporated without significant design changes. Such a design incorporates so many elements that "crowded" is an adjective that comes to mind. To my eyes, a design that simply fills the available space is not necessarily "busy" if the included elements work together.

For example, the reverse of the 1937 Battle of Antietam 75th Anniversary and the 1928 Hawaiian (European) Discovery Sesquicentennial half dollars each feature rather full reverse designs. To my eyes, however, while each fills its "canvas," it is not to the point of distraction and each presents a balanced image

Of course, your mileage may vary!

1928 Hawaiian (European) Discovery Sesquicentennial Half Dollar


1937 Battle of Antietam 75th Anniversary Half Dollar


Here are links to the "busy" coins I've posted:

- 1934-38 Texas Independence Centennial

The coin's reverse incorporates so many elements of Texas history that the designer - Pompeo Coppini - was forced to make most of them so small that they lack detail and can be tough to identify.

- 1936 Norfolk, VA Bicentennial/Tricentennial

The coin of many dates (5) and inscriptions. The obverse of this coin is so inscription-laden that the sailing ship intended to represent the city's role as an important port city had to be reduced in size to the point that it almost seems like a minor "filler" element.

- 1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Opening

From forgound to background - ferry terminal to clouds - the reverse of the Bay Bridge half dollar fills its "canvas" completely. IMO, the use of so many rippling lines to represent waves/undulations in the water of the bay was overkill - a less dramatic approach to indicate the water would have made the design less "busy" and a bit more balanced.

- 1951-54 George Washington Carver-Booker T. Washington Memorial

The obverse of the 1951-54 George Washington Carver-Booker T. Washington Memorial Half Dollar presents a design that created a very tight fit between the conjoined portraits of Carver and Washington and the encircling inscriptions. To my eyes, the design does not incorporate enough white space for the elements to avoid being crowded together.


Is there a classic-era commemorative coin that I haven't listed/posted that you consider to have a "busy" design?