Which US coin most poorly illustrates America and why?

mrearlygold

Roosevelt is the worst. On the "ideas" of America and liberty he and his clan were statist, big government socialists and from a numismatic perspective, a crappy design.

What do you think? Which one do you think rates the worst and why?

Rgrds
TP

Donovan

SBA. We let women vote and now look what a mess we're in. Besides, shouldn't a spokesperson for the women's movement actually look like a woman?

1957joe

I think the Kennedy Half. He was a "so so" president and the only reason he is on a coin is that it was this country's "knee jerk" reaction to a sad event.

FC57Coins

<< <i>Roosevelt is the worst. On the "ideas" of America and liberty he and his clan were statist, big government socialists and from a numismatic perspective, a crappy design. >>



I'll grant you that the design of the Roosie isn't going to compete with some of our classic coins, but... Roosevelt was the only president elected to 4 terms, he led us through the depression and World War II - so he was part of the elite, very few politicians back then weren't. So as far as I'm concerned, I'm glad we didn't have president Wendel Wilkie

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>Roosevelt is the worst. On the "ideas" of America and liberty he and his clan were statist, big government socialists and from a numismatic perspective, a crappy design. >>



I'll grant you that the design of the Roosie isn't going to compete with some of our classic coins, but... Roosevelt was the only president elected to 4 terms, he led us through the depression and World War II - so he was part of the elite, very few politicians back then weren't. So as far as I'm concerned, I'm glad we didn't have president Wendel Wilkie >>



Hahahahaha "led" thru the depression or exacerbated it with his statist policies? You would say then that roosevelt reflected the letter and intent of the founders?

And if not then the alleged lesser of two evils is satisfactory?

TP

MadMarty

<< <i>I think the Kennedy Half. He was a "so so" president and the only reason he is on a coin is that it was this country's "knee jerk" reaction to a sad event. >>



Man, Russ is going to see this and egg your house!!!

1957joe

Man, Russ is going to see this and egg your house!!! >>




That is why I don't give out my address

FC57Coins

<< <i>Hahahahaha "led" thru the depression or exacerbated it with his statist policies? You would say then that roosevelt reflected the letter and intent of the founders? >>



If by statist policies you mean taking the bull by the horns and doing the things that needed to be done to restore public confidence at a time when unemployment topped out at about 25% then so beit. Remember that Hoover sat back and did nothing and by 1933 when he left office the country was in complete chaos. Roosevelt was the right man at the right time. Was he perfect, hardly, but when was the last time that you saw people actually have a picture of the president in their homes because they genuinely loved him. As for the statement about the letter and intent of the founders, that's up for debate with just about any president you care to discuss. Did Roosevelt do what he thought he had to do? Yup - was he right all the time - Nope - But he had the stones to do SOMETHING!

1957joe

<< <i>

<< <i>Hahahahaha "led" thru the depression or exacerbated it with his statist policies? You would say then that roosevelt reflected the letter and intent of the founders? >>



If by statist policies you mean taking the bull by the horns and doing the things that needed to be done to restore public confidence at a time when unemployment topped out at about 25% then so beit. Remember that Hoover sat back and did nothing and by 1933 when he left office the country was in complete chaos. Roosevelt was the right man at the right time. Was he perfect, hardly, but when was the last time that you saw people actually have a picture of the president in their homes because they genuinely loved him. As for the statement about the letter and intent of the founders, that's up for debate with just about any president you care to discuss. Did Roosevelt do what he thought he had to do? Yup - was he right all the time - Nope - But he had the stones to do SOMETHING! >>




VERY TRUE! A lot like Regan after the Carter Admin.

LanLord

Wait a minute, this was supposed to be a coin bash thread, not a history lesson.

Let's get back to the point at hand, which coin most sucks as far as illustrating America and her values?

1957joe

<< <i>Wait a minute, this was supposed to be a coin bash thread, not a history lesson.

Let's get back to the point at hand, which coin most sucks as far as illustrating America and her values? >>



Doesn't coin collecting and history go hand in hand?

windwhispersintrees

As far as our present circulating coinage, they all use words to state our nations values: e pluribus unum, liberty, in god we trust.

Very few use graphics to illustrate these values. There's the eagle for liberty, with olive branch offering peace first, and arrows for strength/defense of liberty. There's the torch of liberty/freedom on the dime. I don't think building depictions like Monticello or Lincoln Memorial say very much symbolically. Overall, not terribly inspiring or becoming a bit hackneyed (eagle depiction on quarter, half).

Artistically, these coin designs rely too much on words to communicate instead of using symbols/graphics. The designers ought to assume they're trying to communicate ideas to someone who is illiterate, so words should be made secondary in their designs. For more artistic designs, the mint should require more emphasis on communicating with symbols and graphics, and allow the required verbiage to be put on coin's edges.

Maybe a better question is which current coin best illustrates or inspires and why? Then maybe we understand what makes good design and why.

barberlover

I have 3 and you might be suprised by my 3rd.

My first two in no particular order are the 2 cent piece and the sheild nickle, I have often said these two coins look like two reverses stuck together.

Most unispired design on a U.S. coin, nothing about U.S. history in them.

3rd has to be the Barber design, I once heard Tht Charles Barber used his wife as the model for the design, I've heard various stories different then that so I don't know what is true. Whatever it was it had nothing to do with U.S. history.

Les

NoGvmnt

The three-cent Silver. The design means nothing.

Jim

mas3cf

How about the 3 dollar gold coin? What do a strange woman in an African-looking headdress and a bizarre wreath have to do with the U.S. of A.? What is the point of wreaths on coinage anyway? Not that I'm complaining about them, but I never really understood what they symbolized...

Donovan

<< <i>How about the 3 dollar gold coin? What do a strange woman in an African-looking headdress and a bizarre wreath have to do with the U.S. of A.? What is the point of wreaths on coinage anyway? Not that I'm complaining about them, but I never really understood what they symbolized... >>



Roman in origin. Laurel wreaths represent civil glory, oak military glory. The "cereal" wreath used on some American coins represents agricultural products from the various regions of the country.

cladking

Politics aside, it would seem that all regular issue US coins appear uniquely American.
The two cent piece might appear vaguely foreign and does contain the in god we trust
motto for the first time, but the shield and its otherwise simplistic design serve to "Amer-
icanize" it somewhat.

There are some special issues and commems which seem very foreign unless one looks
closely. Coins like the Lafeyette dollar or many of the CT and VT colonials. This may apply
to some of the recent olympic and sports coins too. This wouldn't have to detract from
the collectibility of these issues and many may not even agree that they don't appear
"American".

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Hahahahaha "led" thru the depression or exacerbated it with his statist policies? You would say then that roosevelt reflected the letter and intent of the founders? >>



If by statist policies you mean taking the bull by the horns and doing the things that needed to be done to restore public confidence at a time when unemployment topped out at about 25% then so beit. Remember that Hoover sat back and did nothing and by 1933 when he left office the country was in complete chaos. Roosevelt was the right man at the right time. Was he perfect, hardly, but when was the last time that you saw people actually have a picture of the president in their homes because they genuinely loved him. As for the statement about the letter and intent of the founders, that's up for debate with just about any president you care to discuss. Did Roosevelt do what he thought he had to do? Yup - was he right all the time - Nope - But he had the stones to do SOMETHING! >>




OK you answered my question just fine. You prefer socialism and statist leadership as at least "it does something".

Enjoy your "benefits". But instead of hoping and praying for government to come and rob people so as to support your selfish goals, why not try to do it yourself?

Yup. Do it yourself. Will you? Nope.

Hochiminh is on every wall in communist Vietnam too.

I can name a lot of places like that.

TP

FC57Coins

<< <i>How about the 3 dollar gold coin? What do a strange woman in an African-looking headdress and a bizarre wreath have to do with the U.S. of A.? What is the point of wreaths on coinage anyway? Not that I'm complaining about them, but I never really understood what they symbolized... >>



Interesting that you should mention the three dollar coin, because in my mind the portrait used on both the type III dollar and 3 dollar gold pieces are the most handsome female portraits in our coinage to me. As I pondered this post I was thinking about which coins I would feel very proud to display as a symbol of our country and that's always one that comes to mind.

cosmicdebris

Ultra low relief and dead presidents do not tell a nation's story very well.

originalisbest

Did Roosevelt do what he thought he had to do? Yup - was he right all the time - Nope - But he had the stones to do SOMETHING!


Wow, Frank! Just like our current President - GWB!

FC57Coins

<< <i>Wow, Frank! Just like our current President - GWB >>



Cough choke hack cough - having a hard time swallowing that one!

Rittenhouse

All "dead presidents". This country is about ideals not individuals.

paigowjohnny

<< <i>the most handsome female portraits in our coinage to me. >>


That always strikes me as a classic oxymoron...handsome woman

Wolf359

Way too harsh on Roosevelt, get real. Economic ideas had run out, Laise-faire capitalism had COMPLETELY, 100%, FAILED with the Great Depression and millions were hungry and umemployed. Darn right he started government work programs, Social Security, etc. Our system is much better off today WITH these ideas then WITHOUT these ideas. The question is one of how extreme you take things, and Roosevelt is not responsible for what future Congresses and Presidents did with his ideas.

mrearlygold

<< <i>Way too harsh on Roosevelt, get real. Economic ideas had run out, Laise-faire capitalism had COMPLETELY, 100%, FAILED with the Great Depression and millions were hungry and umemployed. Darn right he started government work programs, Social Security, etc. Our system is much better off today WITH these ideas then WITHOUT these ideas. The question is one of how extreme you take things, and Roosevelt is not responsible for what future Congresses and Presidents did with his ideas. >>



Really? You're a coin collector and haven't a clue about historical facts yet you post this blather?

We're not paying for it today? You must be on something.

TP

baccaruda

I'm glad we didn't have president Wendel Wilkie

So am I. I spent a year in the hellhole that passed for a dormatory that bore his name down at I.U.

baccaruda

That always strikes me as a classic oxymoron...handsome woman

I think you can apply this to the Barber coinage.

baccaruda

Wolf is right - those ideas may have saved our nation at the time. It's not Roosevelt's fault that his ideas were totally b@starized later.


Maybe a better idea would have been to give tax breaks to the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts of America?

edsondl

Many historian report that in hindsight Roosevelt's programs and the government's intervention acted to prolong the Great Depression, not shorten or alleviate it. On the other hand, leaders need to act, even if only to encourage those that they are leading.

However, I feel that the placing of Presidents on coins the year after their death is both politocal negligence and incompetence, as the full affects of their work are not understood until years later.

ms70

SBA. It just sucks.

Wolf359

Really? You're a coin collector and haven't a clue about historical facts yet you post this blather?

Sonny, don't even get started with me. If you cannot defend your position against the facts I posted, I suggest a strategic retreat. Because you're looking worse every time you post.

mrearlygold

<< <i>Really? You're a coin collector and haven't a clue about historical facts yet you post this blather?

Sonny, don't even get started with me. If you cannot defend your position against the facts I posted, I suggest a strategic retreat. Because you're looking worse every time you post. >>



I'm looking worse because of my post? Really? What's the underlying principle ( look up the word in a dictionary ok?) of socialism?

Then you tell me who is looking worse.

TP

baccaruda

Wow - creating bread lines, safety nets for the destitute, and government labor programs is socialism? Now that is hard-core capitalism.

FC57Coins

Government has evolved to a slightly socialistic state you're right there - but I believe we were moving in that direction anyway and have continued to do so - just like just about every other civilized government on the face of the Earth.

Now - how about getting back to coins - How'bout them Ikes huh?

mrearlygold

<< <i>Wow - creating bread lines, safety nets for the destitute, and government labor programs is socialism? Now that is hard-core capitalism. >>



Obviously you're one who doesn't have a clue.

TP

mrearlygold

<< <i>Government has evolved to a slightly socialistic state you're right there - but I believe we were moving in that direction anyway and have continued to do so - just like just about every other civilized government on the face of the Earth.

Now - how about getting back to coins - How'bout them Ikes huh? >>



Coins would be good. It's interesting to see where my thread has gone. But you want to get the last word in don't you?

It's "civilized" to have government steal from people to redistribute to others and other interests according to your views. As I said right from the start in response to your post, try doing it yourself and at least be a man about it.


TP

morganbarber

The Ronald Reagan coin is the greatest embarrassment-- There isn't one... (yet)

ccr

Susan B Anthony and Sacagawea. Not relevant enough. When SBA`s first came out, when I was a kid, people would stop and wonder "Who the heck is Susan B Anthony? " Not many people knew who she was and not many cared about her making flags ( that`s primarily what they pushed; making flags ). Also was obvious at the time that it was a product of the influence of NOW ( National Orgination of Women ) which made people at the time mad.

mgoodm3

This thread has degenerated into political Blah blah blah. I think the new nickel is a bit ironic showing the friendship with the NA's. We've done a lot of bad things to them in the intervening years.

dorkkarl

slabed world trade center death coins - you can surely figure out why.

K S

baccaruda

Wow, you're mouthy for a 150 post newbie. Wolf expressed an opinion and you were insulting. Every post you've made is insulting.

If you think a big dollar inventory of gold coins is gonna score you brownies here, I don't think anybody really gives a crap.

mrearlygold

<< <i>Wow, you're mouthy for a 150 post newbie. Wolf expressed an opinion and you were insulting. Every post you've made is insulting.

If you think a big dollar inventory of gold coins is gonna score you brownies here, I don't think anybody really gives a crap. >>



Don't whine. If you can't take it then leave.

Newbie?

That's funny.

TP

FC57Coins

<< <i>As I said right from the start in response to your post, try doing it yourself and at least be a man about it. >>



Well first of all - I do "do it for myself" every single day - 7:00 to 5:00. Second, I'm stating my opinion as you stated your opinion. Third - if anyone is having a hissy fit about this discussion, it seems to be you. And third - questioning my manlyness when you don't even know who you're talking to is just plain ignorant.

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>As I said right from the start in response to your post, try doing it yourself and at least be a man about it. >>



Well first of all - I do "do it for myself" every single day - 7:00 to 5:00. Second, I'm stating my opinion as you stated your opinion. Third - if anyone is having a hissy fit about this discussion, it seems to be you. And third - questioning my manlyness when you don't even know who you're talking to is just plain ignorant. >>



Telll ya what. I think you're ignorant. So let's avoid each other ok?

TP

baccaruda

Put me on that list too, alright jackass?

eisq222

Look at the state quarters...............most look like ^^%% 'poor'...........this could have been a opportunity to design beautiful coins.........MAYBE in the future?????????

Mark

Feel the love amongst our little family....

Mark

NoGvmnt

If there were ever a thread worthy of deletion, this is it.

Jim

dorkkarl

oops! i thought this was a coin-related thread. retract eariler post!

K S

Goldfinger

Roosevelt was hardly a socialist, and the dime isn't the worst coin design, IMO.

Sacagawea was the worst coin design, for a number of reasons. The design was supposed to be somewhat revolutionary - A woman! With a baby! A native woman with her native baby! Which is all fine. We should have more women in our official iconography. And it's not a bad idea to have an actual Indian, other than an allegorical figure, on an American coin.

Put they picked Sacagawea, who is famous for leading Lewis and Clark west. Not exactly the kind of event that best honors Native Americans. Not to mention the fact that we've already commemorated the event in coin. And the reverse? An...eagle. That's new.

Here was a perfect opportunity to do something really bold and unusual with the design, and we got a bland, traditional portrait (plus baby!) with a slightly different eagle on the reverse. How about Indian a design that incorporated Indian icons?

All around the Sacagawea dollar was a poor choice of subject and a poor design.

-Jay

Don't get me started on the Spanish Trail commemorative half.