Darn This Legislator.

Here is a copy of the email written to Rep. Mike Castle.

Dear Mr. Castle,

I am once again writing to you to express my concerns about your Bill to make our 6th and final coin to feature a president. While I appreciate your efforts to revamp the coins used in daily commerce, it seems as if you are still stuck in the presidential rut. For over a hundred years, this country produced some of the most beautiful coins in the world.
The last total redesign campaign took place in the early 1900's when Roosevelt brought in Augustus St. Gaudens to design our coins. Many of these coins issued through this presidents term are considered by most numismatists to be the most beautiful.
We have rehashed this issue several times over the past few years, and you are all too aware of my personal and professional opinions regarding another Presidential coin. So instead of offering the same old story again and again, here is another suggestion. Offer the American public a Lady Liberty series. 4 coins per year depicting the various versions of Lady Liberty used on our coins and currency. Anyone can look back and see the artistry and beauty. This will inspire more people to collect coins.
I fully understand the lack of desire for congress to stand up and do what is right, but at least we can go back to produce a coin that all can be proud of. It is not the responsibility of Congress to direct our nations coinage. We have discussed this fact many times. In 1909, congress overstepped their authority and added Lincoln to our coinage. Now we are forced to live with 5 presidents. This is exactly what the Statute One was written for. The early congressmen knew better. Can't we learn from our past? Must we continue to suffer with lackluster designs?
A recent article in a numismatic publication stated that the U.S. Mint strives for mediocrity and seldom manages to reach that goal. That is so true. I have repeatedly fought this attempt at using "our" coins to promote any political agenda.
Please reconsider your approach and return us to the day when every American was represented by our coins.

Thank you,
(name and company edited)

Sent mine:

quote:

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Dear Mr. Castle,

Although I appreciate the efforts to honor our past presidents and their
spouses, there are many collectors who have grown weary of the current
coinage featuring the likenesses of presidents.

In order to truly promote numismatics and produce some much-needed revenue
for our treasury, it would seem to me that it would be prudent to consider
what collectors would like. This is especially true since, as long as
there are $1 notes being produced, the dollar coinage will not be truly
utilized for commerce.

Many collectors have exhibited a desire to see a return to the Lady
Liberty designs or similar designs that encompass our national pride in
the liberty available to us in this fine country. I am a coin dealer and
also run a coin forum, as well as being an active member on two other coin
forums. Believe me when I say that, overall, collectors have grown very
tired of the current designs and any effort to change the design that does
not also encompass a change from the presidential theme will not be met
with favor.

For all of the expense involved with the changing of the design, wouldn't
it be prudent to consider those people who will be purchasing these items?

In addition to the overwhelming consensus to change from presidential
coinage, there is also an overwhelming majority of collectors who have no
desire at all to see the presidential spouses grace any coinage. It is the
overall feeling that our money needs to be less political and more
representative of what our country truly stands for...life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness. These simple goals seem to have been
overshadowed by the political machinations that have continued in this
country for a long time.

Please reconsider the new designs and create a design that truly
encompasses the principles for which our great country stands.

Respectfully,

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Come on, folks. Maybe we can get a design that all truly want on our coins!

I'm tired of presidential coinage. I'd like to see liberty's, animals, and maybe something symbolic. But not PRESIDENTS! Why is our government insistant on having presidents on our coins?

David

If we want change, WE will have to let our voices be heard. Write all the congressman and senators in your state and any of those supporting this bill.

Here is the direct link to Mike Castle.
http://www.house.gov/castle/pr_04_DollarCoin.html

At the bottom of this page is his phone numbers for his offices in Wilmington, DE - Dover, DE. and Washington DC along with the addresses. Please make your opinions known. Mr. Castle is one of the few who are trying to redesign our nations coins, so give a little credit. He just needs to be pointed in the right or at least better direction.

When or if you call his office, get the new H.R. Bill Number for this legislation. The 109th congress has not put this on their agenda yet. Maybe we can stop this before it starts.

Didn't need your link to find my rep, as the Wyoming Senator was home over the week end talking and meeting with people. I was able to get up close and personal and lay this on him. He seemed quite pleased that anyone would take the time to say anything about this legislation. He and Castle are buddies (or so they say) and maybe it will do some good.
As far as the President's wifes are concerned, he thought this to be a joke and didn't want to waiste any time discussing it.