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 Replies: 31 / Views: 4,245 |
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Valued Member
United States
98 Posts |
Who else is tired of seeing Presidents on modern US coinage? What happened to coin obverses featuring a representation of Liberty? Where did the trend to feature Presidents come from? Look at the run on most obverse designs: Lincoln Cent: 101 years, Roosevelt dime: 64 years, Washington quarter: 78 years (although it is a slightly different obverse, but the same profile of Washington.) Over 50 years is a long time for a coin to have the same design. There have been three circulating coins in the past 60 years to not feature a President: the Franklin half dollar, the Susan B. Anthony dollar, and the Sacagawea dollar. All of these coins however, were/are not very common in circulation, therefore our change is overwhelmingly President-centric. Not only that, but we have a new dollar coin series featuring more Presidents! So we'll be seeing Presidents on our coinage for the rest of our lives. Also, I personally think all of the current coin designs are super ugly. What happened to coin designs being artwork? Look at the Walking Liberty half dollar, the Standing Liberty quarter, the St. Gaudens double eagle, the Trade dollar; those are some beautiful pieces of artwork, not boring profiles of lame Presidents. I think it's time to retire the Presidential bust from coins and bring back the classic Liberty symbols, who's with me? |
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
I believe that you are preaching to the choir here.  |
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Valued Member
 United States
98 Posts |
I'm sure I am, but since I just recently got more serious about collecting, I've discovered old coin designs that are much more interesting than the boring president coins I grew up with. Although I am pleased with the new reverse design on the 2010 pennies, the shield reminds me of classic US coinage. I wasn't much a fan of the Lincoln memorial, and the Formative years series wasn't that great either. The State Quarters and the America the Beautiful Quarters are cool too and give me something that is easy to collect because I can find them in circulation. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2734 Posts |
Worst changes from Liberty designs:
1. Walking Liberty replaced by Franklin (and I'm a huge fan of Ben!)
2. Winged Liberty Dime replaced by Roosevelt (Roosie reverse is nice, though)
2. Buffalo replaced by Jefferson (the Jefferson is a nice design.
However, the Buffalo design is now used on 24k Gold Coins - enough said!)
4. Standing Liberty to Washington (but with a great Eagle reverse!)
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Valued Member
United States
121 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
I really like the gold dollars so I can't agree with you on those coins. But, with that being said, I really like the Morgan, Peace, Liberties, Barber, and especially the Buffalo nickel and Indian penny. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
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I believe that you are preaching to the choir here. You betcha Red Rider!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Interesting discussion. As we all know, on Brit coins tradition has it, or perhaps it is a legal requirement, to have the Monarch on the obverse.
American coin design has more scope in coin design than that! Also interesting is that Brits don't seem to worry about that. Same applies for British Commonwealth coins as well.
I must say that I am not all that keen on the current depiction of Lizzie on Canadian coins, but that is just my opinion, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Returning the image of Liberty to our money would mark the return to a time when Liberty took a back seat to no one or no thing.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2120 Posts |
Honestly, as sad as it is, with the current state of our government, I dont think its appropriate to have Liberty represented on our coins. She would be embarrassed to be the face of this great Nation. I love my country and wish things were more how they were at the turn of the century (just politically, all that racism / sexism crap can stay gone.) I'm thinking after "the revolution" Liberty should make her reappearance. Maybe however, her return would remind people of the Liberties that have been lost, and would prompt people to care about obtaining them back. Either way... Art on coins > Dead presidents  |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
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Maybe however, her return would remind people of the Liberties that have been lost, and would prompt people to care about obtaining them back. Exactly my point. Then again, considering the "quality" of coin artistry these days, coupled with the ignorance of this generation, I fear that people would just end up asking "Why did they put Lady GaGa on the new quarters?"  |
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Valued Member
United States
380 Posts |
Many of us share the same feeling... This is the Fed indoctrinating us to become used to old dead (albeit important) people on coinage. Lady Liberty is a symbol they do not want us to remember. For the various reasons stated above. She should have a place on all currency.. bills and coins... not just ASE's and comm. coins. I have brought this subject up many times and am glad to see others feel the same way. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
850 Posts |
I think that they should go back to the Lady Liberty. It is getting sick. I want to see Lady Liberty on coins again.
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Valued Member
United States
127 Posts |
I like the walking liberty and I also like the "mercury" dimes...those were the best designs! I think they should bring them back.  |
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
While I'd be happy for some variations on who appears on coins, I'd point out that the last time I looked, the word Liberty appears on many coins in circulation. It is sad that (regardless of one's political outlook), the vast majority of people in this country don't know about Lady Liberty (love the Lady GaGa comment) or other principles of freedom. Too often people think along the lines of "freedom for me but not for thee." But, I don't think changing our coins will make a difference in that respect. I could go off on a long tangent, but I won't since it's not related to coins and I want to stay on topic. Also, don't forget--Ben Franklin was never President. |
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
Oops, I forgot to mention that generally, I find the reverse of our modern coinage to be far more artistic. The variations in Jefferson's portrait in the last several years has been nice as well.
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Replies: 31 / Views: 4,245 |
Posted 10/07/2010 5:55 pm
