Survey for circulating coin design change 2026
TwoSides2aCoin
Posts: 44,444 ✭✭✭✭✭
Not that a survey will get them circulating.
https://catalog.usmint.gov/semiq/?cm_mmc=ExactTarget--Campaign--20230912SemiQEmail1-_-SurveyCTA&utm_source=Campaign&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_content=SurveyCTA&utm_campaign=20230912SemiQEmail1&cm_mmca1=Marketing
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The survey links sent out are probably tagged with a code in the URL so they can only be completed once, so posting here won't give access.
That said, I did the survey, and many of the questions were like, "Here is an assortment of design themes, one of which is a good idea, some of which are OK, and one of which is horrible. How interested are you in them?"
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I completed the survey before I received notice of the survey. I expect nothing but political correctness and woke to come of the designs. That will save me money, looking on the bright side.
Why so many pessimistic comments?
Liberty goes on the front, Eagle goes on the back. George Washington told me.
OK, I’ll be brave enough to address the concern.
Here’s one example that I believe makes many responders “nervous”. I think many people feel the 250th Anniversary of 1776 should be focusing on things more directly related to 1776, and NOT what happened throughout the following 250 years. So in the following survey question, instead of having people vote on the individual choices (I strongly believe the choice of George Washington and the American Revolution would receive VERY large support), the Mint decided to avoid that, and instead lumped (forced) the other choices in to that one vote. In my opinion, it is the nature of that question that symbolizes the negative reaction you’re seeing - that this one year program will instead use this as an opportunity to focus too much on things in just the past 100 years, and too little on what the anniversary actually represents - what happened 250 years ago, and NOT what happened over and throughout the 250 years.
This thematic concept would feature key historic figures central to meaningful American progress. If this thematic concept is employed, the Mint will work with appropriate subject-matter experts to refine the list of individuals and causes. The following examples are illustrative:
George Washington and the American Revolution
Alice Paul and the Declaration of Sentiments
Frederick Douglass and the 13th Amendment
Elizabeth Peratrovich and the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945
Rosa Parks and Civil Rights
Harvey Milk and LGBTQ+ rights.
I find it VERY interesting that the point I’m making, which should have been a VERY critical question for the survey, was decided to not even have been asked! That implies an “Agenda”, since if the results of that question came out one particular way, that “Agenda” would be busted! And that question is, “Should the program focus on what happened around 250 years ago, or should the program focus on what happened over the past 250 years?
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
Steve,
You point is very accurate in my thinking taking the survey. I was quite unhappy taking the survey with the direction they seem to want to go. At the end when you could put in your comments I put in, not as well as you summed up, we are celebrating 250 year anniversary of events of 1776, not how things have changed since then. I also said the 200th anniversary put options out as circ coins for everyone with small things for collectors and this pattern should be followed.
Not to be political, but a change in who is in the White House could change the direction of this program, hopefully for the better. Otherwise I will get a chance to save money.
One side of the coin will have Ventris Gibson receiving a quarter from her uncle and the other will have her brother receiving a half dollar.
My Jefferson Registry:
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset/191115
The government hasn't cared what collectors want since at least 1979.
With respect, I appreciate the comments reflected above. Please allow me to offer a different perspective.
Not voting, while an option, just allows others to render perspectives that may be contrary to yours and not have the benefit of your view.
As far as the US Mint, the stakeholders who are most responsible is Congress as their legislation drives the themes for circulating and commemorative coins and medals. Assuming approval by the President, the US Mint must develop designs congruent with the approved legislation. These candidate designs are then reviewed by two groups of knowledgeable professionals, the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). The latter group contains 11 individuals, one of which is a recognized numismatist while many of the others also are coin collectors. In the interest of transparency, I have the honor of serving as the Chair of the CCAC. I must say that in that position and despite many posts on this message board, I have not received the level of suggestions from the public or the numismatic community similar to the pessimism often reflected on these message boards. This year is different as more than thirty different suggestions have been received and the CCAC plans to vote on these at its October public meeting to determine which should be forwarded to the Treasury Secretary. If you are in Washington DC, you can participate in person. If not, you can hear the deliberations of the discussion. Bottomline, this is one option, but the most powerful one is through your elected Congressional representatives in the House and the Senate if you truly want drive themes for circulating and commemorative coins and medals.
Back to the US Mint survey, which by the way was required by federal law. Why would we not expect a wide spectrum of opinions in the responses given the diversity of US population, particularly in how such a pivotal event should be reflected in the themes of what the Semiquincentennial means?
I am not focusing on political parties, but rather on the view that the differences among us is what makes us stronger, especially if we are willing to at least hear the voices and views of others. Admittedly, there will be some who would argue that we focus narrowly only on the Constitution. At the same time, there are others who may wish to focus on its impact and meaning over the 250 years.
While I am not an author of the questions in the survey, as a professional who has participated in developing and administering surveys to diverse populations, this survey, in my humble opinion offers the opportunity for a wide spectrum of choices and allows you to write in additional thoughts should you choose to add them.
In closing, please accept my apologies for a lengthy response. Again, I respect the views articulated above. As a collector over many decades, while I may not agree with every theme authorized by Congress and approved by the President or every design candidate recommended by the CFA and CCAC, I am pleased that I am asked to provide my views when requested. And this request is seeking our opinion in how we celebrate this momentous occasion on the smallest of canvasses. For the reasons above and many more, I recommend that everyone take advantage of this opportunity to share your views. The more voices the better. I hope you do so, if you have not already done so. Also, I hope you will join the CCAC at its two-day public meeting next month.
Casabrown
Thank you for providing informed insights. While my concerns are not alleviated, it’s reassuring to know they were read and at some level will hopefully be considered.
Thank you.
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
Ok, so I completed the survey. Based on the questions, it seems as if there's already a trajectory that's been decided on, which is "interpreting the meaning" rather than commemorating historical events. I doubt any input that deviates from that trajectory will matter.
An interesting note is that most of the questions referenced "Our Democracy". Anyone who started from that flawed understanding shouldn't be involved in creating surveys about our nation's founding.
I vote for a Palpatine half dollar.
Casabrown,
Appreciate your knowledge and input. The survey seemed to be not and open survey, but they have there ideas and want those ideas confirmed. They are not looking at the end 250 years ago and celebrating that event. How exactly does LGBTQ+ get into a 250 year anniversary of the USA without seriously twisting things.
My comments on the survey EXACTLY!
I recommended the Flowing hair cent, Shield nickel, seated dime, bust quarter and barber half.
The people in charge of these things have an agenda. They don't care what we think, which is why their "Our Democracy" surveys are a waste of time.
One particularly funny (sad) question was about "civic engagement". Paying taxes? Seriously? The Revolution was precipitated because of the backlash surrounding the 1765 Stamp Act - i.e. taxes. Boston Tea Party anyone?
These are not serious people asking for input in a good faith effort to commemorate our semiquincentennial. They are people with an agenda and a profound ignorance, and probably contempt, of our actual history.
Let's LEARN from the past. What designs/themes were actually used on U.S. coinage to celebrate our Bicentennial 50 years ago in 1976????????????
Apparently, the people in charge now of that survey have a different mentality and/or different "instructions" from higher up than the people who were the decisionmakers 50 years ago!!!!!!!!! Were those people stupid?????
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
It seems you can take the survey multiple times. Blast them on a different topic in the comments each time.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
They could add "mostly peaceful protesting" and showing a city burning to the ground.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution