Coin World: "CCAC disgusted with American Innovation $1 coin designs for 2018".....thoughts RWB?
Goldbully
Posts: 16,864 ✭✭✭✭✭
I am in total agreement with the CCAC.
How does the forum feel?
CCAC disgusted with American Innovation $1 coin designs for 2018
Panel pans U.S. Mint’s proposed concepts for new non-circulating coin program
By Paul Gilkes , Coin World
Published : 08/03/18
Proposed as the common obverse for the 14-year American Innovation $1 coin program is a sparse, modified
version of the Statue of Liberty reverse from the Presidential $1 coin series, which ran from 2007 through 2016.
Design modifications for the proposed American Innovation $1 common obverse, right, include narrowed rims, a switched legend and removal of an inner border ring, in comparison to the Presidential $1 Coin series reverse, left, from which it's adapted.
In the committee's rejection of this second of eight proposed reverse designs for the 2018 American Innovation $1 coin, one CCAC member compared the disembodied hand with quill pen to the character Thing from the 1960s television comedy The Addams Family.
In a July 31 teleconference, members of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee expressed disgust with the quality of proposed reverse designs for the 2018 coin to launch the American Innovation dollar series and unanimously refused to review any of them for possible recommendation.
Added to their dismay at the eight reverse designs proposed, the panel was also critical of being asked to rubberstamp a proposed common obverse for the 14-year series. The singular offering is a modified version of the Statue of Liberty design that served as the common reverse for the Presidential dollars and was presented instead of a portfolio containing multiple new renditions of the Statue of Liberty.
One CCAC member, sculptor Heidi Wastweet, went so far as to suggest the U.S. Mint consider scrapping the 2018 coin option and moving on to the 2019 first full year of issues rather than push through inferior or retread designs simply to meet a tight production deadline. She said the proposed designs are the “least innovative” of any she has seen during her eight-year tenure on the design review panel.
Vocal opposition
The most vocal among the CCAC member was medals specialist Donald Scarinci, a New Jersey attorney.
So incensed was Scarinci with the quality of the proposed designs that he called on all Americans to boycott U.S. Mint products, saying he would not buy any numismatic product that featured any coins bearing the designs proposed.
Scarinci labeled the proposed designs “beyond horrible,” adding, “I’m glad you didn’t drag me to D.C. to look at this,” Scarinci remarked in comments directed at U.S. Mint officials participating in the teleconference originating from Mint headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Scarinci said that, although the Mint has the ability to execute a program from design to production quickly, citing one congressional gold medal that was turned around in 30 days, the Mint has to stop the practice of trying to force through less-than-ideal designs in order to meet a production schedule.
Scarinci said Donald Everhart’s original Statue of Liberty reverse design from the Presidential dollar series is quality work, but that the Mint is doing a disservice by resurrecting the design in a modified version for the American Innovation dollar series rather than rendering a completely new vision.
Erik Jansen, a CCAC member representing the interests of the general public, said all of the designs he saw miss the concept of the patent system that rewards incentive and is the basis for the coin series.
Mike Moran, a CCAC member and collector recommended by the Senate minority leader, said none of the reverse designs are of feasible quality suitable for production.
“I’m sick of looking at these,” Moran said of the proposed designs. “They were something that were forced through. I won’t support any of them.”
CCAC member Thomas J. Uram, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists and a member of the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors, wryly remarked, “We finally have a series that will be worse than the Susan B. Anthony dollar.”
Jeanne Stevens-Sollman, a medallic sculptor representing the general public, said she was “overwhelmed with disappointment” by the proposed 2018 dollar reverse designs.
Robert Hoge, specially qualified as a numismatic curator, pushed part of the blame on Congress. “I don’t think this was a properly thought-out program,” Hoge said.
Hoge said one of the designs featuring a disembodied hand using a quill pen reminded him of the Thing character from the 1960s television comedy The Addams Family.
Dennis Tucker, specially qualified in numismatics as publisher of Whitman Publishing LLC, said he, too, had problems with the design renderings, but was also critical of the design mandates in the enabling legislation.
Tucker questioned why the law mandates the inscription AMERICAN INNOVATORS for the 2018 dollar reverse, when the program is to recognize American Innovation. The mandated inscription focuses on individuals or a physical invention but negates the innovation of an ideal or other intangible.
Tucker also objected to continuing to place the date, Mint mark and E PLURIBUS UNUM incuse on the coin’s edge, arguing that collectors want to see the date and Mint mark return to the denomination’s obverse as part of the overall design.
Congressional mandate
The American Innovation $1 Coin Act, Public Law 116-197, calls for the production of manganese brass-clad dollars as numismatic products and not for circulation.
The 14-year program calls for an annual release of four dollar coins. The series authorizes one coin each for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories — Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The coins are to be released in the order each entity honored ratified the U.S. Constitution or entered the Union.
The 57th coin in the series would actually be the first issued, to kick off the program in 2018, with the four-coins-per-year schedule to start beginning in 2019. The 2018 American Innovation coin is optional at the discretion of the secretary of the Treasury.
The common obverse for the entire program is mandated to be a rendition of the Statue of Liberty. The lone obverse design being considered by the Mint is a modified version of now retired U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Donald Everhart II’s common reverse employed for each Presidential dollar issued from 2007 through 2016 inclusive.
On the modified design, the overall appearance is more medallic, with more empty fields. An inner circle was removed. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was removed, to be placed on the reverses, and is replaced by IN GOD WE TRUST. The denomination, rendered as $1, is slightly smaller in size on the modified 2018 design than as used on the Presidential dollars.
The reverse for the 2018 American Innovation dollar is required to include the inscription AMERICAN INNOVATORS and a facsimile signature of President George Washington as taken from the first U.S. patent dated July 31, 1790.
The first U.S. patent, No. X000001, was issued in New York City by U.S. Attorney General Edmund Jennings Randolph on July 31, 1790, to Samuel Hopkins for “the improvement of pot ash and pearl ash,” chemicals then essential for making soap, glass, dye, and gunpowder.
Check out all eight reverse designs here.......
https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/2018/08/ccac-rejects-american-innovation-dollar-designs.html
Comments
I'm disgusted with all the designs that are for no purpose other than marketing.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
I think a big problem is we no longer have any "Old-World" engravers and artists.
Did they have a design competition? I fail to see what a pen and inkwell has to do with GW as an "Innovator" of ANYTHING. If they use that those designs it would suit other founders who composed famous documents much better. Jefferson, Madison?
Kind of looks like "clip art coin design". Put this image here, and put that image there...fit in the words....Bingo! A coin design!
Even if you did happen to like the "hand with quill pen" idea, the actual graphic has absolutely no "flair" to it at all. Not sure I could hold my arm that straight if I had to!
They already published that in an earlier article in Coin World...
I'm sure Coin World reads CU. They've even quoted me before, even though they never credited me...
Oh, and I've already suggested the Mint hire the guys who did the McD's tokens for the Innobucks.
They couldn't do any worse...
I am surprised that they were going to try to grind this out in 2018. Haven't the Proof and Mint sets already been sold?
Yeah, but the legislation (which just passed) states they could issue the preview coin in 2018 if at all possible, so this is just another congressional crapload.
(The coin (and article) in question is just sort of a preamble coin to the series which actually starts next year.)
It is flat, no depth, no detail, no background. What is wrong with these people? Why no sky, clouds, a mountain, rocks, something. What happened to textures, fabric threads, wrinkles? I do not think it is worth any consideration. Otherwise I have nothing to say. Peace Roy
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Here's the relevant text:
CCAC ...... what NOW?
Bring on FRANKLIN MINT!
You are supposed to be posting an image in the tag game!!!
RULES RULES RULES !!!
The "game" waits for no man (or woman).
If you can't say something nice.......I can't.
The public doesn't want these coins. Collectors don't want these coins. Why are they being made?
If the designs make sense and have aesthetic appeal, collectors will want them. They ought to make some numismatically themed examples.
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
I've seen the drawings. Mere cartoons or toilet stall sketches.
The Mint still - after 7 years - has not hired an Art Director to lead the creative people it has on staff. They will continue to turn out schlock until professional creative leadership is hired.
Further, the "artistic infusion" people are so poorly compensated than no sculptor or quality will participate. If Fraser was paid $1,500 for the Buffalo nickel in 1912, then a similar top artist should receive a minimum of $20,000 for an accepted design.
As to the common "obverse," the religious motto was a 19th century add-on, and is not a primary national identifier or symbol. The country's name or the word "Liberty" belong on a simplified obverse.
I agree with Heidi - skip 2018. The concept and art work are too immature for success.
MACGA!
Make American Coins Great Again!
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
IMHO, most modern designs are postmodern shite. The glory days of US coinage were in the early 20th century. I don’t think it gets any better than the beautiful designs of Augustus Saint Gaudens and Adolf Weinman.
I read an article describing the 50 state quarter art as ‘clip art coinage’. Spot on.
I can’t think of a single modern US coin that I find attractive that is not based on earlier designs...and I’m not THAT old
Here's an innovation:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1003130/i-got-a-big-mac-coin
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
One CCAC member, sculptor Heidi Wastweet, went so far as to suggest the U.S. Mint consider scrapping the 2018 coin option and moving on to the 2019 first full year of issues rather than push through inferior or retread designs simply to meet a tight production deadline. She said the proposed designs are the “least innovative” of any she has seen during her eight-year tenure on the design review panel.
I think that your big Mac coin looks nicer than the common obverse proposed design. My thoughts went first to finding chocolate inside, then to pulling something like this out of a plastic capsule that your kid got from the 25 cent gumball machine in the front of a Walmart...
Disgusted
Je to veľmi škaredé (it is very ugly)
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
I don't really mind the one that has the early Great Seal icon on it. By nature, the first coin in this series is going to be rather generic.
But Congress is ultimately to blame for this program and whatever failings go along with it.
Since almost all of the innovations over countless years led to one monumental achievement exactly 50 years ago (next year) I am still disappointed that they couldn't just issue one circulating coin and be done with it. I tried to get anybody in Congress to look into making a circulating coin with an Apollo 11 theme, but not one of the several that I wrote to would even reply.
They really are crappy designs... as most of the modern coinage has been. Too bad they do not follow the advice above by @RogerB... hire an Art Director and bring art back to American coins...Cheers, RickO
I reserve the right to buy only the coins that I like. Shirt and shoes not required.
Dan, I love the idea!
Thanks for the info!
I was going to mention Mr. Carr right at the beginning but did not want to stir up any "haters."
Just as an aside, when referencing copyrighted material as the OP does, it is better to reference it with a teaser such as:
"Coin World has an interesting article about...."
and then posting a link to the article, rather than copying and pasting the entire article into the thread. By posting the link you get people to the website of the people who did all the hard work of creating the material, and in this day and age website hits are money.
Full disclosure, I used to work for Coin World, and consider them my numismatic alma mater. I learned a lot while I was there, and still learn from them via Coin World Online.
TD
That will save me a lot of work. I thought most people enjoyed seeing the content within the forum message block, but I will heed your words and just post a link in the future. As you know, I always give a link to the Website and credit to the author. I believe most people will go to the Website, even if the content is in the forum message window.
George Washington invented the inkwell and quill!
http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/winter07/lettersside.cfm
At the State Dept. in Washington they have (not in a public area, but I was there with my wife for her retirement ceremony) Thomas Jefferson's writing desk. There is actually an explanation of how he only used certain feathers because he was left handed.
Wow! That's a real shame, because that design speaks to me and talk about embodying the concept of Innovation... it doesn't get any better. No comparison!
As the proposed obverse for the new coin is flat as a pancake, the obverse shown on your Apollo 11 coin couldn't have any more "depth"... literally from the earth to moon! And that eagle on the reverse, very impressive. You've got my vote!
I have been collecting a few modern silver coins lately, but NO WAY would I buy any of these from the Mint for any price if made of brass. The Mint needs to read the Constitution and remember US coins are not supposed to be made of brass.
I would rather have original mint Monopoly money or Big Mac tokens instead.
National Commemorative Medals of the U.S. Mint:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/medals-tokens/national-commemorative-medals-united-states-mint-1940-present/alltimeset/195526
I think you need to read the law. The Mint has no choice. You, like many others are blaming the Mint for the actions of Congress.
31 U.S. Code § 5112 - Denominations, specifications, and design of coins
This is the actual law that drives our coinage. You should read it.
Edit: Becuz I kant spel...
thousands an thousands of the old presidential are still being produced at the tune of sixhundredfifty thousand dollars a day.no one wants and stored in vaults which cost as much.an I believe the estimate is 3 million to move to the new vault.these innovation coins? are worse!
I fail to see what a pen and inkwell has to do with GW as an "Innovator" of ANYTHING
------------ a representation of the signature of President George Washington on the first United States patent issued.
don't take this the wrong way, but you fail to see quite a bit!!
This is the actual law that drives our coinage. You should read it.
why read, understand and follow the Law?? it is much simpler to dismiss everything not liked, invent what is liked and then rant about how it's some deep conspiracy. it is a cancer eating away at Society right now in all facets of America.
while I may not like many of the coin designs and have been very vocal here pertaining to all the Commemoration that started in 1999, it is useless to hope for a return to things that were common 100-200 years ago. it is inconvenient for a lot of people, but Humanity tends to move forward and not backwards. besides, no matter what the US Mint does to appease the voices of those who long for designs from the 1800's struck in PM's, people would complain.
dissatisfaction is a component of the Human condition. now, everyone repeat after me --- COLLECT WHAT YOU LIKE and stop wasting time complaining about what you don't like.