My Comments as Chair, Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee
Casabrown
Posts: 2,160 ✭✭✭
Good evening,
As Black History month has just concluded and March is National Women's History month, I thought you might fine interesting my comments at the beginning of the day 1 (February 28, 2023) public meeting of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). As a reminder, the CCAC is an 11-member group authorized to submit recommendations to the Secretary of Treasury on designs of US circulating and commemorative coins and medals.
As Chair of the CCAC, here were my comments:
_Using the very limited prerogative of the Chair, I will briefly share with all those in attendance the significance of this first in-person meeting of the CCAC in 2023. I want to thank former and present CCAC members and the phenomenal US Mint leadership and staff without whom we would not be here today.
Similar to the beginning of my first term as CCAC Chair, this second term also begins as this nation is celebrating Black History month. And while serving as the first African American to Chair the CCAC is of significance to me and my family, this is not the reason for my comments.
More importantly, is the recognition that within a month, the CCAC will have participated in the recognition of four under-appreciated chapters of Black history.
At the last public meeting, the CCAC reviewed the designs for the Harlem Hell-fighters Congressional Gold medal, commemorating African American soldiers, recognized for their heroism during World War 1.
Today, as a part of the 2024 American Innovation Dollar from Missouri, the CCAC will be reviewing reverse designs recognizing the inventions of George Washington Carver, an African American agricultural scientist.
Also today, we will be reviewing designs for the Willie O’Ree Congressional Gold medal, celebrating his feats on the ice as the first African American to play in the National Hockey League and his contributions off the ice.
Tomorrow, we will be reviewing designs recognizing some phenomenal women, one of whom is Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray, an African American civil rights activist, attorney, Episcopal priest and author.
These four events underscore an increasing appreciation that Black History is American history, a phrase I saw repeatedly displayed in NYC Kennedy airport.
In summary, I am here today based upon the phenomenal support I received from colleagues and the many friends I have developed in this continuously fulfilling hobby while serving our nation by reviewing miniature canvases filled with unforgettable art, representing phenomenal chapters of American history.
Last year, I ended my comments with a quote from the first woman commemorated on the 2022 American Women Quarters, Maya Angelo: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
This year, I am ending with a quote from another famous African American, former First Lady Michelle Obama: “Success is not about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in the people’s lives”
You have all played a role in making a difference in my life and making me feel valued, I pray that I can return the favor to you as well over the course of this year._
Your comments are welcomed, and I recommend that you consider visiting American Women Quarters™ Program - US Mint Catalog Online to obtain a role of Bessie Coleman quarters. Bessie Coleman was a pilot, advocate, and pioneer who flew to great heights as the first African American and first Native American woman pilot and first African American to earn an international pilot’s license. The reverse design depicts Bessie Coleman as she suits up in preparation for flight, her expression reflective of her determination to take to the skies, the only place she experienced a freedom she did not have on the ground.
Feel free to contact me at Lawrence.Brown@usmint.treas.gov or Info@CCAC.gov should you desire more information.
Lawrence S. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM
Addiction Medicine and Public Health
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
Chair, Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee
Comments
Is there anything in the works for an Obama or Trump coin?
Martin
Absolutely wonderful! Thanks for sharing your words on this forum!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Thank you, Dr. Brown.
@Casabrown... Thank you for an informative and interesting post on the activity of the CCAC. Cheers, RickO
I like the reverse recommendation for the Harlem Hellfighters gold medal and thank you for your service to the country and earning a bronze star.
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
Thank you all for your comments.
For all Presidents, the US Mint, provides bronze medals.
Now continue to support our hobby and your voice in coin design, it is imperative that you make your views known via emailing info@CCAC.gov. If you do so, they will be forwarded to me for consideration by the CCAC during 2023.
This is critical to reverse an increasing impression of apathy and pessimism among collectors.
Dr. Brown - Thank you very much for your post and comments.
I look forward to purchasing the upcoming issues.
I have a personal commitment to acquire ALL US Mint African American
Issues (medals and coins), and possess all of them, including the commemorative
coins from the early 20th century programs. Being a Jazz lover, I recently
purchased the RCM Oscar Peterson coins. I would like to see
more Jazz and Opera music icons on coins - like L. Armstrong, J. Norman,
E. Fitzgerald, L. Price (alive at 90+), D. Gillespie, and more.
Outstanding.
Can you please also send your comments to Info@CCAC.gov.
ttt
@Casabrown - Dr. Brown, as a history buff, especially during Reconstruction, I would like to draw your attention to an often forgotten character that I believe was the most impressive and underappreciated lawman of all time in US history, Bass Reeves. There are multiple books written about him, and I hear there is an upcoming series centered on him. The series stems from the "Yellowstone" series, and I personally cannot wait for it! I would absolutely LOVE to see Bass Reeves featured on US coinage.
"Born into slavery in the late 1830s, Bass escaped to Indian Territory sometime during the Civil War. It was there, living as a fugitive among the Native American peoples, that he developed many of the skills that would contribute to his professional accomplishments.
After emancipation, Reeves migrated to Van Buren, Arkansas where he acquired acreage, married, and raised a family. He was a successful farmer and horse breeder.
In 1875 Judge Isaac Parker was appointed to the federal bench in Fort Smith, Arkansas with jurisdiction over the Western District of Arkansas encompassing 74,000 square miles and including the Indian Territory of present-day Oklahoma. That same year Judge Parker appointed Bass Reeves a deputy U.S. marshal.
As a civilian, Reeves had a reputation as an honest, hard-working, and fair man with respect for the law and his fellowman; these traits, coupled with his easy manner, exceptional skills with a firearm, and command of several Native American dialects equipped him to be a very effective Indian Territory lawman. Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves may have been the first black man appointed to the U.S. Marshals Service west of the Mississippi River and was apparently the only deputy who served the entire term of Judge Parker's appointment to the bench. By all indications, he was one of the most productive and respected deputies who served during this time period.
Policing the Indian Territory was a dangerous and challenging law enforcement assignment. The U.S. Marshals Service counts 120 deputy marshals as having been killed in the line of duty in Indian Territory prior to Oklahoma achieving statehood in 1907.
During Reeve's 32-year career as a deputy U.S. marshal, he served under 7 different U.S. marshals, survived numerous attempts on his life and one gunshot wound (1895), arrested as many as 3,000 criminals, and was forced to kill at least 14 men in defense of his life or the lives of others.
In 1992, Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. He was the first black man inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners.
In recognition of his accomplishments and service, on May 26, 2012, the citizens of Fort Smith, Arkansas dedicated a life-and-a-quarter size bronze monument honoring U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves titled, "Into the Territories" by sculptor Harold T. Holden. The statue is in Pendergraft Park and adjacent to the National Park Service maintained historic site which includes the building housing Judge Parker's court."
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
Re : Musicians
All of these artists, "some" of whom I have had the
privilege of seeing live in performance, would make
excellent candidates for honor on our coinage.
Duke Ellington was featured on the DC Quarter, and
Louis Armstrong and Marian Anderson were on gold medals but not on coins.
Here are some additional names for your consideration :
Leontyne Price (Angel of Opera)
Jessye Norman
Ella Fitzgerald
John Birks Dizzy Gillespie (Just imagine those cheeks and that bent trumpet on a coin !)
Coleman Hawkins
Charlie Christian (the original Jazz guitarist)
Benny Carter
Clifford Brown
Earl Hines
Milt Hinton (Old Man Time !)
All of them were pioneers in music, active in the Civil Rights movement
and era, and invented and had unique original styles and artistic skills,
well prior to the intrusion of electronics in music.
I appreciate your time
@Casabrown
What can you do about changing the dime? It has been the same since 1946! Quarter, nickel and cent have had revisions.
My friends,
These are great suggestions/questions. Please also email them to Info@CCAC.gov so I can assure you of an answer by the CCAC. Pleaseeeeeeeeeeee
Mea Culpa - I should include :
Lonnie Johnson for both Jazz Guitar & Jazz Violin
Eddie South (Prolific Jazz Violin - talented beyond the talented)
Stuff Smith (Prolific Jazz Violin)
Nancy Wilson (Vocals)
Scott Joplin (Everyone knows his music)
My own instrument interest is Jazz Violin and Guitar so I am
a bit biased.
I have had hand shakes from Benny Carter, Milt Hinton,
James Moody, and many others.
*** BTW : I did try to email the info@CCAC.gov box
from my yahoo account - it was flagged as spam
and returned to me.
The .gov has very strict cyber controls.
Thanks Again
Thank you for the info regarding your effort to use the CCAC email address. Give me a week to fix the impediment.
Regards
@Casabrown Dr. Brown, I also sent an email to that address from a US Government computer, and got the following error;
The following message to info@ccac.gov was undeliverable.
The reason for the problem:
5.1.0 - Unknown address error 550-'5.7.1 Rejected: 214.24.24.198 listed at sbl-xbl.spamhaus.org'
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
This is good feedback that I can use to advise the US Mint to investigate.
Keep it coming, please
The half dollar has a huge canvas for great design.
It would be cool to see a half dollar program with 4 or 5 designs per year like they have done with the quarters.
Very collectable IMO.
Keep the designs clean and simple yet artistic and not a busy mess.
One thing that would be very interesting is for the Mint to consider doing a “Type Set” of sorts. Basically a tour through historical coinage of the US as major types.
Take all/ most of the eagle designs the Mint has used and do a sort of type set.
A lot of people would like to see this man considered for a commemorative. Although still living, he would be a fine choice.
That would be amazing, or Lady Liberty throughout the years. You would be shocked how many people don’t know that we had women on our coinage and currency for the majority of the life of the country. It wasn’t until the 20th century that we started being fixated on dead white guys.
Here is a charming icon of Jazz impressing kids with his dizzying art -
Photo taken by Milt "the Judge" Hinton eminent bassist & photographer.
And also my ticket stub from a vibrant concert !
Enjoy !
I personally think the Mint should scale back their offerings. Did they hire someone from the Franklin Mint? It started with the state quarters which FM did 25 years prior. Presidential medals, first spouses, innovations, national parks, subscription programs; all done before. Yet the Kennedy half as mentioned above remains untouched for 60 years. FM saturated their collector base and most of their precious metal items are now worth scrap value.
Franklin Mint will never be in the same league as the U.S. mint. There will always be much more demand for U.S. mint products even if some of them trade near bullion value. I'd guess that a much higher proportion of Franklin mint material than U.S. mint coins are being melted these days.
Please keep the comments flowing
This is something I am interested in, but where would you fit the mottos such as "In God We Trust" when you cover series like the Draped Bust and Capped Bust?
The edges.
@Casabrown
One idea I have been toying around with in my head is to combine the American Silver Eagle program, the Morgan and Peace Dollar program among other silver programs. Basically I would have a series of recurring silver coins as follows:
5 oz. silver coins that are 65 mm in diameter (these would be uncirculated/matte proof finish only as the artists objected to mirror finishes because they felt it cheapened their work)
Mercury Dime
Type 2 Standing Liberty Quarter
Walking Liberty Half Dollar
1 oz. silver coins that are 1.5 inch in diameter
Morgan Dollar
Peace Dollar
Gasparro's Liberty Dollar
I would also allow the US Mint to have variations of Morgan's liberty produced such as the Schoolgirl and Shield Earring Dollars
The modern Morgan and Peace Dollars have a planchet that's thinner than the original Morgan and Peace Dollars, the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is a 1 oz silver bullion coin that is pretty much the same diameter as the original Morgan and Peace Dollars. No need to have a thinner planchet for an 0.858 oz silver coin. I would reduce the diameter of the 5 oz bullion coins from 76.2 mm (ATB 5 oz silver) to 65 mm (the same as a 5 oz Silver Mexican Libertad) as it might allow for better relief.
Another idea I have is to have a Saint Gaudens large cent that would be a numismatic product only, which would use the 1907 Saint Gaudens Cent pattern but on a 28.575 mm (1 1/8th inch) large cent planchet in order to allow for In God We Trust and E Pluribus Unum to be on the edge and not ruin Saint Gaudens' design. This would allow for people who cannot afford an Indian Head $10 or Saint Gaudens $20 to own an example of Saint Gaudens' design. Furthermore the Indian Headdress on Lady Liberty on the Indian Head $10 gold coin would be considered cultural misappropriation today and I think that going back and addressing this wrong and doing a Saint Gaudens Liberty Head without the headdress would be the best approach.
If the silver coin ideas come to fruition, I would replace the Mercury Dime obverse on the Palladium Eagle with Charles Barber's Standing Columbia 1891 pattern design which has both Lady Liberty and an Eagle on the obverse. The reverse design would have new modern designs (with more artistic freedom since liberty and eagle are on the obverse).
I would have William Barber's 1872 Amazonian silver obverse be the obverse of the Platinum Eagle. It has both Lady Liberty and an Eagle on the obverse. The reverse design would have new modern designs (with more artistic freedom since liberty and the eagle on the obverse).
As for Gold, I'd have an annual 1 oz, .9167 fine, 34 mm Saint Gaudens $20 and a 1/2 oz., .9167 fine, 27 mm gold coin with the Sacagawea obverse, Saint Gaudens Indian Head $10 reverse and an edge of raised stars like the Indian Head $10. I would have this replace the American gold eagles and instead go with issuing fractional American Gold Buffaloes in 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz sizes.
It is difficult to find a modern quarter without a die chip, or one that is not struck from a deteriorated die, can we mention the quality of circulation strikes?
OK folks and please forgive me as the glitich in CCAC email address is being corrected.
Great news!!! The CCAC email address has been fixed. Please copy your prior comments to Info@CCAC.gov.
Thanks for your patience.
I sent an e-mail to Info@CCAC.gov and it works !
Great and yes your email was forwarded to me. You should receive a response by Tuesday.
I hope other suggestions and questions follow. I will also recognize receiving queries at the beginning of the CCAC public meeting on April 18, 2023.
Best regards
In 1995, the US Postal Service released a set of 10 Stamps (1 Oz)
featuring several Jazz musicians and included a special CD,
with their keynote compositions performed by several modern
artists
I paid all of $ 4.95 for 10 32-cent stamps and an outstanding CD !
----------------------------------------------!--------------------------------------------------------
Please send all ideas also to Info@CCAC.gov.
Thanks
Need more information for Commemorative Coin themes for the next 5.
I thought I'd post a photo of the Oscar Peterson Coins which
I purchased last year from the RCM. Hint! Hint! US Mint !
Enjoy !
Dear Dr. Brown:
If I might suggest a topic for the CCAC to consider, please propose that the USA discontinue the one cent piece as obsolete, as Canada did many years ago. The question would be too political for either political party to propose, but perhaps a neutral organization such as the CCAC could accomplish it
As it relates to Oscar Peterson, please send your suggestion to the CCAC email address: Info@CCAC.gov.
As far as discontinuing the cent, this is beyond authorization of the CCAC, which is:
****Advise the Secretary of the Treasury on any theme or design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion coinage, Congressional Gold Medals, and national and other medals.
Advise the Secretary of the Treasury with regard to the events, persons, or places to be commemorated by the issuance of commemorative coins in each of the five calendar years succeeding the year in which a commemorative coin designation is made.
Make recommendations with respect to the mintage level for any commemorative coin recommended.
The CCAC submits a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury after each public meeting with the minutes of the meeting.****
Having responded above, attending the CCAC forum at the 2023 ANA Worlds Fair of Money in Pittsburgh presents an opportunity for the public and the numismatic community to ask unlimited questions.
I have in the past requested that Jazz and Classical musicians be featured as a numismatic topic.
Today day the US State Department has posted some RARE & exceptional videos of these unique
musicians, touring the world as "Cultural Goodwill American Ambassadors." Here is the link to
these videos for any Jazz lovers who also happen to be coin collectors
For your enjoyment as you look at your collections !
https://www.youtube.com/@StateDept/videos
.
.
Louis Armstrong and the spy: how the CIA used him as a ‘trojan horse’ in Congo
https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/12/louis-armstrong-and-the-spy-how-the-cia-used-him-as-a-trojan-horse-in-congo
Please follow-up your thoughts with sending your suggestions to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee via email (Info@CCAC.gov) and your elected representatives in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives.
PBS will be featuring Max Roach on drums, and depending on
location, either John Coltrane or Charles Mingus this Friday
starting at 8:00 pm (local time). The shows are "American
Masters" and Independent Lens / Kennedy Center Jazz.
https://www.pbs.org/video/let-my-children-hear-mingus-fa6l40/
Great music to listen to while viewing your numismatic collections.
For your viewing this Veterans Day on PBS -
a Story about Generals Benjamin Davis Sr & Jr,
the first Black American Generals in the US.
Candidates for coins and medals . . .
Fascinating History !
Thank you very much on behalf of myself as a veteran and other veterans.
They received a congress gold metal but how about a quarter or such for the ladies of the. " 6888 central postal directory battalion" of WWII. what a moral booster they were to our troops , very important in war time. expediting troops mail.
honor them so the public knows! They were an All-Black Female WWII unit.
The piece pictured is a privately made commemorative medal, but I haven't heard of a US Mint coin yet.
That being said, I'm checking out Bass Reeves series by Taylor Sheridan now. Anyone watch it and have an opinion on it?
Me in the cab of Norfolk & Western 611
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