MSN asks: why are state quarters so ugly?

bohica268

LINKY-DINK

"the peach looks like a butt"

shirohniichan

For the first time in memory, states—not the U.S. Mint—are designing their own coins. The results are not encouraging. Most of the designs, usually chosen by a state commission appointed by the governor, are boring, timid, and cluttered—evidence of all that can go wrong when art is created by committee. They are also surprisingly revealing about the peculiar, parochial ways that states view themselves.

Ain't that the truth!

moursund

Maybe Oregon will use the Oregon Commem design for their state quarter. That would be pretty ok.

am

LanLord

<< <i>Maybe Oregon will use the Oregon Commem design for their state quarter. That would be pretty ok. am >>

amen to that.

dpoole

By now, it has become clear that forces far more powerful than good taste and good art are at work here. The state quarters may go down in history as our greatest lost opportunity for doing something beautiful and compelling with our coinage.

IndianHeadMan

Let's give the mint a little credit for atleast trying to mix things up a little. Too much fire for this and they will never stick their neck out again.

rays

Ever since 1909 when the US Mint began depicting deceased presidents on our coinage, the artful design of Liberty was lost. Apparently forever. What a shame.

gmarguli

The mint deserves no credit. Have you looked at our commemoratives? They are so bad that you actually laugh out loud when looking at most of them.

byergo

The Franklin Mint can make nicer coins that the US Mint.

gmarguli

That's not saying much. Besides I believe the Franklin Mint stopped minting coins about a year ago.

Simple

I agree with IndianHeadMan. They have finally succeeded at trying something bold. Remember, they dont pick the designs (they probably should have). I dont thing the negative publicity on the design will sway them from possibly moving ahead on other redesigns on the other coins though based on how popular the state quarters have become.

braddick

It's fun to sometimes shop on eBay at the older metals that are offered and to see the lovely designs.
Our State quarters are bland. No personality. Who was it that recently posted here about the Astronaut on the back of the Ohio quarter looking like he's been hung.
I can't see that quarter now without thinking that (how true).

windwhispersintrees

A camel is a horse designed by committee.

A state quarter is a coin designed by an artist, "improved" by a Mint Engraver, and then lauded like the Emperor's new clothes.