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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,472 |
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Valued Member
United States
359 Posts |
Poll Question
I recently read a thorough history on the redesign efforts of our coins in the early 20th century ("sponsored" by Teddy Roosevelt). I truly feel our coinage is screaming for a complete redesign. While I enjoyed collecting the State Quarters and ATB Quarters, there just isn't much to get excited about out there. The Presidential dollars are also fun to acquire, but I frankly find the obverse portraits poorly done. Our historic US coinage is something to behold. I often get comments about how beautiful the designs of Liberty are on the old Seated dimes, Morgan dollars, walking half, etc. What say ye? Should we enter a new era of coinage design and get back to Lady Liberty once again? Or, should we stick with the status quo and continue honoring past presidents? Caveat, I'm not talking about removing presidents from our currency.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
950 Posts |
I think they should have some sort of "USA" universal obverse design for all the coins and make the obverse different for each denomination.
Much like Canada does with the Queen.
Since our presidents wont last 70 years like good old Elizabeth, we could use an iconic USA figure like Lady Liberty.
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Moderator
 United States
188043 Posts |
As I write this, Lady Liberty has 100% of the votes.  I am not surprised at all.  |
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Valued Member
 United States
359 Posts |
Quote:
I think they should have some sort of "USA" universal obverse design for all the coins and make the obverse different for each denomination.
Much like Canada does with the Queen.
Since our presidents wont last 70 years like good old Elizabeth, we could use an iconic USA figure like Lady Liberty. Well, that's kinda what they did with the Barber series. Wasn't that part of the "ugly" designs that Roosevelt was pushing to phase out? I'm torn because the variety of Lady Liberties over the years have been beautiful. Merc, Walking, Seated, Coronet, Morgan... Even the Peace, which is by far my least favorite Liberty design, is more attractive than what we have available today IMHO. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
950 Posts |
Quote:
Well, that's kinda what they did with the Barber series. Wasn't that part of the "ugly" designs that Roosevelt was pushing to phase out? Yes, but he was wrong about them being ugly. I think Barbers were super and I would like to see them go back to that sort of thing. Peace is my JAM! that is my absolute favorite coin design. Probably because my great grandmother who was born in 1922 gave me her 1922 Peace dollar. That coin will never leave my possession. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
I want to see Obama on every single coin and bill.
jk
I want lady liberty back, it was cool then and would be cool now; especially since we are so used to seeing lady liberty on coins that are often worn and mangled, it would be cool to have some freshly minted coins with her on them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
965 Posts |
If it were me, all the coins would have a common obverse, but not liberty though, I like the indian head on the Buffalo nickel, very simple and elegant. All the reverses would feature eagles in some way, shape, or form. No rotating reverses, but a commemorative every few years on different respective denominations. This would make me very happy  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
965 Posts |
I should also add that I personally don't like the idea of having real people on non commemorative coins. As awesome as he was George Washington would have been horrified to see his likeness on a united states coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
997 Posts |
There should also be a choice in the poll to remove real people from currency too.
I also like the idea of a common Lady Liberty representation on the circulation coins, let the reverses be some American icon like the Washington Monument, Liberty Bell, Capitol building, flag, etc...
I do agree with 1967Canadapenney that ole George would be dead set against his effigy on a coin or bill. No real person should ever be on currency, metal or paper, outside of monarchs in a monarchy. Since we aren't one then the only persons presented should be iconic.
Edited by n9jig
03/26/2013 7:46 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1007 Posts |
I'll go for Miss Liberty on the obverse of all coinage as long as she's in different poses like the Walking Liberty, Standing Liberty, Seated Liberty, etc.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
I have also felt for a long time our coins needed a major overhaul. The Presidential dollars, State Quarters and ATB Quarters are the only interesting things in our coinage these days. That's sad. I also have felt for a long time putting real people on our coins smacked of either imperialist or monarchist thinking. The idea of liberty is much more powerful than the face of a person. Let's spread that idea around the world in our coins and leave images of real people to other things, like monuments...or perhaps paper currency. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
Quote:
Even the Peace, which is by far my least favorite Liberty design, is more attractive than what we have available today IMHO. I don't like the Peace design because she just has this slack-jawed look of boredom on her, like she's asleep. But I have to agree it's still nicer than the presidents (especially Jefferson's creepy new stare on the nickels, gah). |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
Yep, Peace dollars are my least favorite "vintage" coin, but I would still rather see a Peace dollar than a have to put up with today's boring designs. I have always hated that "slack-jawed" look, like you said. I have one in BU, but only bought it because the dealer at a coin show made me a deal for less than spot on it. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
965 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
359 Posts |
Quote:
The idea of liberty is much more powerful than the face of a person. Let's spread that idea around the world in our coins and leave images of real people to other things, like monuments...or perhaps paper currency.  Double amen!! Well said. |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,472 |
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Posted 03/26/2013 5:16 pm
