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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,002 |
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Press Manager
 United States
1420 Posts |
US Mint - United States Mint (Mint) Director David J. Ryder participated in a virtual design unveiling today for the 2021 Christa McAuliffe Silver Dollar. McAuliffe, a high school social studies teacher, was the first participant in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Teacher in Space program. She and six astronauts tragically lost their lives in the Space Shuttle Challenger flight on January 28, 1986.  The designs will be featured on a silver coin authorized by Public Law 116-65. In a pre-recorded video, Director Ryder said: "This silver dollar will celebrate the life and legacy of a true pioneer, a passionate educator, and an inspiration to millions. We hope this coin will honor Christa McAuliffe's memory, and we are proud to assist in the continued legacy of her mission to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders." Other participants in the prerecorded program broadcast on FIRSTtv included Judge Steven J. McAuliffe, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), United States Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), U.S. Representative Fred Upton (R-MI), and Dean Kamen, Founder of the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) organization. FIRST is a not-for-profit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement program for kids worldwide. The obverse (heads) design depicts a portrait of McAuliffe with a hopeful gaze and the inscriptions "CHRISTA McAULIFFE," "2021," "LIBERTY," and "IN GOD WE TRUST." United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Laurie J. Musser created the design, which was sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill. The reverse (tails) design depicts McAuliffe as a teacher, smiling as she points forward and upward, symbolizing the future. Three high school-age students look on with wonder. The seven stars pay tribute to those who perished in the Challenger tragedy. Around the border are the inscriptions "I TOUCH THE FUTURE. I TEACH.," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "ONE DOLLAR," and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." The FIRST organization logo is included in the design. The reverse design was created by AIP Designer Emily Damstra and sculpted by Chief Engraver Joseph Menna.
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2606 Posts |
I like the chosen obverse, but I don't care for the reverse. Time and again the Treasury has chosen a design that depicts multiple random/composite persons like this reverse, and it not only gets old, but many times they don't render well in the final coin. I would have much preferred to see a depiction of the space shuttle, which was one of the reverse design candidates. Edited by CollegeBarbers
12/21/2020 09:01 am
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
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I would have much preferred to see a depiction of the space shuttle, which was one of the reverse design candidates.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12811 Posts |
I would have liked a Shuttle on the reverse too. But the chosen image reminds us that she was a teacher and links her passion for teaching kids to the space program for which she was chosen. It does so without calling to mind the Challenger disaster, which is not this coin's intent (though the 7 stars do represent Christa and the other 6 astronauts). The more I think about it the more I like it.
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Valued Member
United States
425 Posts |
I am glad there is nothing about the Challenger disaster on the coin. To honor only one of seven people killed in that would have been just plain wrong. Seven stars is a nice touch. In any case, I do not collect commemorative coins, so I will be passing this one by as well.
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
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But the chosen image reminds us that she was a teacher and links her passion for teaching kids to the space program for which she was chosen. It does so without calling to mind the Challenger disaster, which is not this coin's intent (though the 7 stars do represent Christa and the other 6 astronauts). Good points. Could change my mind over time.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2606 Posts |
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Good points. Could change my mind over time. I hadn't thought about it that way. So I can understand more why that design was chosen. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2606 Posts |
The uncirculated and proof renderings have been posted on their respective product pages. I think the obverse turned out nicely, but not so much the reverse. |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
135 Posts |
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Teeth always look weird to me. I'm not sure I would have noticed that had you not pointed it out. Now it's ruined  |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Sorry about that! It cannot be unseen.  |
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Valued Member
United States
292 Posts |
The entire reverse is awkward. Even the obverse is odd. Hard pass.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2606 Posts |
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Teeth always look weird to me. I never really paid attention to that but you're right, they do always look weird...  |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
I am on the fence. It would be an easier decision if they release a coin and medal set like the American Legion and Woman's Suffrage had. I do like the coin and medal sets. |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,002 |
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Posted 12/21/2020 09:00 am
