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 Replies: 27 / Views: 5,265 |
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Press Manager
 United States
1420 Posts |
US Mint - Today, the United States Mint (Mint) is officially announcing the designs for the 2020 End of World War II 75th Anniversary Coin and Medal Program. The designs will be featured on a 24-karat gold coin and a silver medal.  The common obverse (heads) design depicts an eagle in flight grasping an olive branch, symbolizing peace, in its right talon. The design is inspired by the 1945 version of the Great Seal of the United States, which portrays the eagle facing right toward the olive branch. Inscriptions are "LIBERTY," "1945," and "WORLD WAR II." Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Ronald Sanders created this design, which was sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.  The common reverse (tails) design echoes the sun element on the obverse of the 1945 World War II Victory Medal. The sun depicted on that medal has, 75 years later, risen to noon day brilliance. It shines on the olive branches. Inscriptions on the gold coin are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "75th ANNIVERSARY," "2020," "AU 24K," "1/2 OZ." and "$25." The inscription on the silver medal is "75th ANNIVERSARY." AIP artist Donna Weaver created this design, which Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon sculpted.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
I might be more compelled if they were high relief, but I'm not seeing any mention of that.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I like the look of them,and high relief would look even better I bet. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
I like them both, but the gold is out, I wish the silver was a coin rather than a medal. I'll pass since its not a coin.
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
I will get the silver medal. I hope to get the special ASE to go with it, but I will at least have this.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10029 Posts |
Caution - negative post here!  I would think the coin would say its commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII or the Allied victory. The wording on it says its the 75th anniversary of the war.  Nice eagle though, and I like the metaphor of the sun as stated. Our honored dead deserve better for their sacrifice - even though its 75 years later. I have to wonder what would happen had this design come out at the 5th anniversary? How would YOUR family feel if they had had to pay the ultimate sacrifice and 75 years later there is a lack of direct reference to the victory they paid for and helped achieve?  Edited by Earle42
09/02/2020 3:50 pm
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
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How would YOUR family feel if they had had to pay the ultimate sacrifice and 75 years later there is a lack of direct reference to the victory they paid for and helped achieve? But there is a direct reference to the victory - both the obverse and reverse prominently depict olive branches which have been used for centuries as symbols of peace and/or victory by countries around the world. The obverse depicts an eagle (America) holding the olive branch of victory. I think it's very effective. I much prefer the use of allegory vs. literal and unimaginative inscriptions. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2606 Posts |
At first glance I wasn't too thrilled with these designs, but the more I look at them the more I like them. I definitely can't afford the gold coin, but I might be a player on the silver medal if the price is right. I'm not sure if this has been discussed before, but does the Mint have the statutory authority to strike this gold coin? If I'm not mistaken, they need Congressional approval to strike coins, but they have the discretion to make any medals they want.  Quote:
I much prefer the use of allegory vs. literal and unimaginative inscriptions.  I would've preferred to see an allegorical figure as a representation of peace and victory (something along the lines of the Peace dollar), because an eagle is overused and a little generic in my opinion, but these designs are pleasing in their own right. |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
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But there is a direct reference to the victory... You beat me to it.  Quote:
I much prefer the use of allegory vs. literal and unimaginative inscriptions. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10029 Posts |
Interesting point from a fellow CCF member who obviously has a more artistic ability/view on the world than I do. I can understand what you say...now...about the victory being referenced However, the olive branch references do not seem, to me, to give reference directly to the Allied victory/sacrifices. The Allied sacrifices are the entire reason the existence of this medal is even a possibility. Or...if in an artistic way they do, it is lost on me. I am more left brained than right brained and so I miss things like this. Edited by Earle42
09/02/2020 5:24 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
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I'm not sure if this has been discussed before, but does the Mint have the statutory authority to strike this gold coin? If I'm not mistaken, they need Congressional approval to strike coins, but they have the discretion to make any medals they want The US Code allows this in 5112.i.4.c, I think, as "other bullion and proof gold coins" as long as they meet other specified standards. The Liberty high relief issues and this year's Mayflower piece also fall into this: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5112Quote:
The Secretary may continue to mint and issue coins in accordance with the specifications contained in paragraphs (7), (8), (9), and (10) of subsection (a) and paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection at the same time the Secretary in minting and issuing other bullion and proof gold coins under this subsection in accordance with such program procedures and coin specifications, designs, varieties, quantities, denominations, and inscriptions as the Secretary, in the Secretary's discretion, may prescribe from time to time. |
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Valued Member
United States
430 Posts |
I think the silver medal will look nice next to my American silver liberty medals
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12811 Posts |
I like these. Definitely a buyer on the Ag and, like jbuck, I hope to be able to put it next to an ASE 75th. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
What about the V75 quarter dollar, they showing anything to that one?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1272 Posts |
Will buy if mintage is low enough
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5820 Posts |
I don't particularly like the design, the eagle claw doesn't appear correct in perspective, it's lacking strength overall.
The placement of the text on the reverse are not artistically professionally.
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Replies: 27 / Views: 5,265 |
Posted 09/02/2020 2:35 pm
