Artist – 1000th Post Giveaway Contest!!! WINNER ANOUNCED!!!!

Artist

Hello All –

With this I make my 1,000th post to this, our illustrious, forum. I am grateful for all of the wisdom I have gained perusing & partaking in the discussions that take place here – I am especially appreciative of the friendships I have begun! – and in order to show my appreciation, I creating this giveaway contest.

The prize: your choice of either a subtly toned, rainbow-hinted, uncirculated 1922 Peace Dollar in a vintage, custom, denoted holder; OR something far more unique & interesting that I will describe only to the winner in a PM.

In the spirit of good numismatic conversation, the rules for this giveaway are as follows: describe, provide examples for, or better yet, illustrate what you think America’s NEXT great coin design should be…

“A Nation’s coins reflect the ideals and values for the Nation at that time…” - Former U.S. Mint Director Henrietta Holsman-Fore

However, between Return to Monticello, The Ben Franklin Continental Dollar Reverse, The Gold Buffalo .9999 Coin, and the just announced San Francisco Mint Commemoratives, there has been a lot of recycling of old designs as of late; in addition, with the Presidential Golden Dollar Series, endless views of the Statue of Liberty, and the veritable stampede of Bison-themed coinage that have been put forth, there has been a lot of revisiting old motifs as well. Personally, I do not believe that these designs adequately serve the best ideals and values of our Nation. In them I recognize no spirit of innovation, experimentation, entrepreneurship, risk, and optimism. Conversely, I do value tradition and history, but are these the predominant values we want our coins to capture for posterity?

Drawing on any facet of American life that you wish, be it natural history, industrial advances, sociological evolution, and even politics (if you can think of a way to do so that does not involve more Presidential portraits,) I invite you to share your opinion on what you think would constitute a new, great, United States coin.

Feel free to include with your post any art ork, inspirational medals or so-called dollars, or even dark-side material that you feel might help to better illustrate your idea.

After one week, I will choose a winner from among the entries.

Good luck, and thanks again to all who continue to make my experience with this forum worthwhile.

~ Artist

TheKidCollector1991

Well, Congrats firstly.
Well....I am not American and Neither do I live in America but....
I feel that the next GREAT design would be Americas Niagra Falls.
And on the Obverse, NOT a great American President but..... the Lewis and Clarke Explorers.

Thanks TKC!

ddbird

Honestly, I think we should return to Liberty and the Eagle.

Though in different nature. The obverse would be a magestic lady. With symbols to represent commerce, agriculture, technology, and peace.

The reverse would be a freakin angry eagle...poised for attack.

...Now that would be cool

MORGANHUNTER2

Congrats on a grand

As for a NEW design, I personally feel that the Eagle should always be on the reverse, somewhat like that on the 76 IKE, as for a Obverse- forget dead presidents or for that matter any live ones at this time. we should consider who was the most influential person in our country to have made it prosper, to make it a great nation as we truly are, even though there are times we have folks screw US up.

only 2 folk came to mind, but I'm worried some of you might laugh at me, but I'll tell you any way.

Red Skelton or John Denver.....

we could consider Red Foxx, but his portrait would definitely have to be as he was in his epic tel role- Fred G. Sanford, and the G stands for GOLD!!!!!!!

holadude

How about the obverse as the poised head of an eagle. Strong, Bold, Fearless.
The reverse should be the American Flag in the wind with, "United We Stand" on it.

amercoin

A Bust Obv and Lords prayer on the Rev.

cheezhed

Obverse - a 3/4 lady liberty portrait

Reverse - large eagle portrait with olive branch in beak

braddick

<< <i>A Bust Obv and Lords prayer on the Rev. >>

One side for sinning and the other for repenting.

dcarr

notlogical

I think the image of Chief Standing Bear would be great. They could use someting like this.

It's a great story. Chief Standing Bear story It's a story that is still good today and Chief Standing Bear and what he did can still mean a lot to people today too.

I think the reverse of the 1879 Seated Liberty coins would be really because that was the year he won his case. That's my idea.

ABC123

How about the Washington Monument on the obverse and the Grand Canyon on the reverse !

zrlevin

Congrats on 1000 posts!

Here is one design I drew in Paint.



On the front is Lady Liberty (not necessarily the Peace Dollar design) holding an eagle in her right hand. Both she and the eagle are facing the shield she is holding in her left hand. The shield's four symbols are the bear, flag, owl, and bell. They represent courage, spirit, wisdom, and freedom, respectivly. Above her is "The United States of America" curved along the rim (I couldn't do it in paint), and E Pluribus Unum is on her left at waist level.

On the Reverse is the American Flag, with the sun shining in the background. Encircling the flag pole are the words "Life Liberty Persuit of happiness" in place of the black oval in the drawing. "In God We Trust" will be along the top rim, and the denomination will be along the bottom.

There will be no color on the actual coin, it was just easier to draw it that way.


Thanks for the chance!
Zach

Artist

B-b-b-ump!!

ER

Congrats on 1000, Charlie.

Hey, I like that new Peace coin.

Leiana

Congratulations! ^__^ Here is my design-







I have always preferred the allegorical coins. The obverse is inspired by the walking liberty half, the EB doubloon and the colorful Colorado quarter. Also a mideval coin known as the lute player. Liberty (a bit updated) wears the traditional Phrygian cap and holds an olive branch with her arms upraised in an expression of joy. The mountains and river in the background represent America's Bounty and opportunity. The rising sun represents our hopes for the future. The handwritten "In God we Trust" was inspired by the new style of Liberty on the nickels.

The reverse was inspired by modern American gold bullion. I have always thought that the values represented by an eagle protecting his family was a great sentiment and felt it was too bad that it was on coins that most Americans didn't know about. Family values are important, and that should be reflected in a circulating coin. This coin would replace the state quarters in 2009.

Sorry for the rough design, but I'm not good at drawing on the computer!

-Amanda

EDIT- Added an handdrawn obverse

holadude

Where are all the creative folks? I want to see the designs.

mach19

BONO / U2 & eagle reverse

Myqqy

I want a liberty that looks like this....

librtyhead

Smitty79

<< <i>I want a liberty that looks like this....
>>



Yea and put 'Heads I Win' on the obverse and 'Tails You Lose' on the reverse.

Seriously, congrats on 1K. As for design, I would love to see an updated version of the Morgan obverse in a 3/4 view like the nickels in '05. For a reverse, I'd like to see a majestic Old Glory depicted. Thanks for the chance.

lonelyp

Congrats on 1,000.

I'm no artist, so i can't draw a design, that would look good.
How about a Space Shuttle takeoff obverse, American flag, behind an eagle. Olive branch in beak is OK, Terrorist in talons a MUST. (no implied nationality) reverse.

Thanks for the chance.
pz

rmoss

The coin was designed and meant to be the new small dollar until it was replaced by the Susie. This has to be Frank Gasparro's greatest design and should still be used in his memory.

Edited to add:

It is said, I read it somewhere, the man actually sat down and cried when told this design would not be used.

raycyca

How about the statue of liberty on the obverse with the twin towers on the sides. For the reverse, I LOVE the heraldic eagle used from 1801-1807. Let freedom ring!!! Ray

Coindexter

Congrats on 1K and this is a very cool contest. I've had an idea brewing for a while, and with some colaberation may get it off of the ground some day.

The obverse of the series of coin will feature a classically styled depiction of Liberty (she needs to be back on our coinage, post haste). She will be holding a lantern aloft in her right hand. Her left trails behind her with the remnants of a broken manacle hanging from it. The moon will figure into the obverse design as well, somewhere between 9 and 12 o'clock (somewhat like the sun on the walking Liberty half). The overall tone of the design suggests that Liberty has percevered against insurmountable odds and continues to assert herself in the face of adversity. I call the motif "Liberty Searching."

I like this design idea for a number of reasons. It draws on elements of the best designs (IMO) of all American coinage while adding something original to the mix. It doesn't simply rehash a popular favorite from the past, it contributes a new image with a genuine message.

Not since the reverse of the Mercury dime has an American coin sent a clear message. The fasces is a symbol of punishment, both corporal and capital. When wrapped in an olive branch the message is clear: we have the power to destroy you, but we prefer not to. I think it is important for our coinage to say something.

"Liberty Searching" says (to me at least) that despite the moral and ethical quagmire our era has swamped us in there is still an ideal that Americans strive to uphold.

Edited to add:

I agree that the reverse of most any american coin from the Quarter on up should depict an eagle. I feel that an eagle to represent our times must be depicted in a very agressive stance, such as swooping down on its prey (which for best symbolic effect should be a serpent).

friend

Congradulations on your 1000. I would destroy my idea if I tried to design it because I am no artist, but here is my thought on the front the Statute of Liberty standing in the center of the Twin towers and surrounded by stars. On the reverse one soldier representing each major war from when this country first began to the present and each of them with their hand holding up Old Glory. Just a thought. Thank you for your consideration.
Tom

MrSpud

How about something like this in high relief in some red metal like copper, bronze or niobium anodyzed red?

Or perhaps just one of these as the obverse with a portion of the solar system containg everything from the sun to mars as the reverse?

Artist

Last chance...!

I will be determining a winner over the weekend.

Artist

Artist 1,000th Post Giveaway Design Contest: Results!!!

Wow!

Let me begin by offering my sincerest thanks and appreciation to ALL who participated. Truly I feel I got some terrific responses to my giveaway contest, which has made the selection of a single winner nearly impossible. As such, there are many entries here that I want to recognize…

Runner Ups: (In no particular order…)

Leiana / Amanda – I liked the way you combined many elements of many great coins in such a cohesive way. I especially like the idea of juxtaposing Lady Liberty against mountains – some great potential here for different contrasting textures, as well as creating the suggestion of a really vast space.

Notlogical – What a wonderful rendering of an important, American subject!

Zreiven – You definitely get points for your creative collage work – what a whimsical submission you have put together! My favorite aspect of your design is the notion of an allegorical shield. There is a rich tradition of putting shields on American coins, albeit one that has not been revisited in many decades, the Kennedy Half not withstanding. I like the idea of revisiting this idea and fortifying it with new allegorical symbols like the ones you put forth.

Third Finalist:

Coindexter – I very much enjoy picturing the design you describe. I too lament the Ms. Liberty’s absence on our modern coinage – in 1794 she was young, shirtless & her hair was blowing in the wind, now in 2006 she has been replaced altogether with a crop of dead white guys – suffice it to say that I would very much support bringing her back in the way you suggest. I like the idea of the moon, to me it suggests not just night, but also the farthest place an American has ever traveled to. The lantern could be a beautiful symbol too, it’s rays blending and contrasting with those streaming down from the moon. You made me get out my Dictionary with your use of the word with ‘Manacle’ – indeed broken restraints do effectively suggest that Liberty is not something that can be taken for granted, but a value that must perpetually be sought by Americans and in turn set free. In a more literal way, a broken manacle on the arm of a spirited woman traveling by night recalls a slave escaping on the Underground Railroad. Taken all together, I think your design sounds like it has the potential to be a very beautiful work that bridges the classicism of some of the greatest U.S. coins of the past with the spirit of the age we are living in.

Second Finalist:

Daniel Carr – your terrific submission is by no means my first introduction to your work; indeed I have on more than one occasion spent time studying all of the beautiful designs on your web site! I would like to take this opportunity to share my belief that I feel you are a great coin designer, one I believe the world has much to learn from. As for your entry, I especially like the fact that it is a $2.00 coin. Lately I have been giving a lot of thought to the fact that in 1795 we had circulating denominations that began with the half cent and went up to $10.00, but now, more than two-hundred years later, the highest denomination you are likely to receive in change is a lowly quarter; frankly I do not think this vies well for the role of coinage in modern American society. In turn, not only do I think that a $2.00 coin would be a step in the right direction, but that your bi-metallic solution would be a perfect way to distinguish this new denomination you propose, and it might also go far towards helping it achieve acceptance. Beyond that, I think your design itself is solid – the astronaut on the moon is a great comment on American solidarity, and on the reverse, your symmetrical Eagle & stylized sun further the subtle tradition in American coinage of contrasting a more organic obverse with a more academic reverse.

As for the winner of my contest… (drum roll, please…)

Mr. Spud – Congratulations! Not only have you created a very unusual and beautiful design, but one that also demonstrates a quality I never considered a coin could possess: the ability to challenge us a society. “Mars is Ours / 21st Century” is simply a fantastic sentiment; by comparison, what it makes me realize, is that modern coinage is so burdened by all of the legend requirements that have been mandated throughout the decades, that as inspirational as they are, I think those words sometimes loose their power by virtue of being so forcefully repeated. In contrast, putting prophetic words out there that Americans could then work to manifest makes me think of how colonists may have regarded the Fugio cent. In addition, I also like your relief & planchet suggestions – on a large coin like a 50-cent piece, it seems like there should be budget enough to employ a new, interesting metal, one that in this case is of a color that compliments the design motif, and / or put more care into the manufacture of the coins by playing with the relief. As for the design, I think technology, especially depicted in high relief, could be a fascinating subject. You have put together a great composition with the elements you have chosen, and while I did not judge this casual contest with too much of an eye for execution, you have created a very convincing rendering. All in all, I think your design puts forth some very interesting ideas, and deserves to be the winner of this contest.

So congrats to Mr. Spud, and thanks again to all who participated!!

~ Artist

TheKidCollector1991

Congrats to the fanastic entries!

I loved them all!!

Especially the Moon one and dcarrs one!

TKC!

MrSpud

Wow! Thanks!!!

I tried to think of something that was positive, progressive and that didn't recycle previous coin design elements. It's funny, to me at least, that for years coin collectors have been repeatedly saying to bring back Liberty and other classic designs but now that the mint has been doing so we realize that to do so makes it look like creativity is dead.

Leiana

Congrats MrSpud! And an honorable mention for me? Wow thanks!

-Amanda

Artist

Last bump - I just wanted everyone to have a chance to see all the entries. Thanks again to all!