Does the average American really care about coin design?

JoeLewis

It seems to me that the average American does not really care what design (if any at all) is used on our coinage. I think most people would be content with coins that simply have a big 1, 5, 10, 25, etc. on them with no other design.

What do you think?

RYK

I would agree with you. Most people could not care less. Increasingly, I do not care either.

saintguru

Please define the "Average American".

take all day.

Scioto

<< <i>I think most people would be content with coins that simply have a big 1, 5, 10, 25, etc. on them with no other design. >>



I could not have said it any better!

JoeLewis

<< <i>Please define the "Average American".

take all day. >>



True. How about, the "non-numismatist" instead of "American".

SkyMan

Not in the least.

Scioto

There would be a segment of the non-collecting population who would take exception to "IN GOD WE TRUST" being omitted.

JoeLewis

<< <i>There would be a segment of the non-collecting population who would take exception to "IN GOD WE TRUST" being omitted. >>



Oh yeah. Although, they would probably have to be told that it was removed. Otherwise, it would probably go unnoticed.

JoeLewis

<< <i>I would agree with you. Most people could not care less. Increasingly, I do not care either. >>



You could always start collecting blank planchets

Cocoinut

I think you're right. Most people can't tell you who is on all of our currently circulating coins.

Jim

CaptHenway

You would not believe the number of times I have had people tell me "I found a Penny that says ONE CENT on it!!!"

They have a wheatback cent, where ONE CENT is in the middle of the reverse instead of at the bottom. They usually do not believe me when I tell them that all the Lincolns say ONE CENT on the back.

TD

CaptHenway

<< <i>I think you're right. Most people can't tell you who is on all of our currently circulating coins.

Jim >>



I have had people who could not answer the question: "Whose picture is on the Kennedy half dollar?"
TD

basestealer

I think most people that do care are politically motivated. They worry about mottos and the placement of those mottos. They want to get their political heros featured on a coin. The US mint opened that can of worms when they started putting presidents on coins, and now states--the next obvious progression is to put cities, mayors, governors, corporations, etc on coins. The sky is the limit. And don't forget, in god we trust. In god we trust that the US government will oppress us if given the chance, is a better motto. My guess is coins will go the way of stamps--the USPS began allowing people to design their own custom stamps. I'll bet soon the US mint will let you stamp out self portraits on tin tokens.

cladking

People don't care about coin designs but these designs still send a strong message
to the people and to the future. The message is seen by friend and foe around the
world as well. It is important to show our ideals and determination whether the "av-
erage Joe" cares or not.

curly

I guess I'm the odd brother out because I care. Change is a good thing.

Artist

If the current designs can be considered an indication of interst, I would have to say not much. It is sad to see how progressive the designs from other countries have become, in contrast to our own. Much like a lot of things I suppose...

ModernCrapNut

The only time the average American cares is when he mistakes golden dollars for quarters and leaves a $2 tip at the local diner instead of the planned 50 cents.

Scioto

As long as the coins work in the parking meter, Coke machine or toll booth most don't care.

Maybe we could stir up interest if we started a rumour the JS on the Roosevelt Dimes stood for Josef Stalin?

tahoe98

i would hope they care enough that the mint doesn't make pesos for america.

kkce

The current designs have been in place for decades. For most of us, these are as familiar as an old pair of shoes and the designs are taken for granted now. But, people do notice when the design changes, ie State quarters which has been an immesely popular program and people that don't usually collect are now looking for them in their change. One persons art is another person's gum ball I guess.

123cents

Care about coin design?? Most people I see use debit cards.

fc

in my opinion the USA had it right long ago when it comes
to words on coins.

MIND YOUR BUSINESS

blu62vette

I think most are fine with the old design and will complain about almost any new design whether it is due to just being a change or it being what they feel is ugly. Majority just dont care......

JoeLewis

<< <i>Care about coin design?? Most people I see use debit cards. >>



I rarely use real money anymore. Everything goes on the debit card.

renman95

<< <i>

<< <i>Please define the "Average American".

take all day. >>



True. How about, the "non-numismatist" instead of "American". >>



One has to ask was is an "American" today? With our politicians pandering (and singing) to illegal "criminal" aliens, McDonalds accepting pesos and check cards used for small purchases, there's no interest in what's on a coin. I really doubt what the Mint says that a third of all "Americans" collect coins due to the SHQ program. I never see anyone check out their coins or talk about coins.

Interest in coins means that one has an interest in history. And history doesn't seem to be taught all that much because we keep repeating it.

Ren(dom) thoughts

Writersblock

<< <i>Maybe we could stir up interest if we started a rumour the JS on the Roosevelt Dimes stood for Josef Stalin? >>


Wouldn't work. Most of the people below the age of sixty (maybe seventy) would say either "Joseph who?" or "Yeah, So?".

curly

Maybe we could stir up interest if we started a rumour the JS on the Roosevelt Dimes stood for Josef Stalin?


>>



You must be a young pup, brother. That rumor died a long time ago...about the time the hammer and sickle showed up on Kennedy's neck.

MidAtlanticCoins

If they didn't care, why do they rush to the bank with each new quarter and dollar? Granted, they are not all that interested in the design itself as they are in the fact that it changes, but the government can't seem to understand that change is a good thing. Now we have or will have permanent designs once the quarters end. Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosie, Washington, Kennedy, Sac. No one in congress has the stones to remove any of these images.

JoeLewis

<< <i>If they didn't care, why do they rush to the bank with each new quarter and dollar? Granted, they are not all that interested in the design itself as they are in the fact that it changes, but the government can't seem to understand that change is a good thing. Now we have or will have permanent designs once the quarters end. Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosie, Washington, Kennedy, Sac. No one in congress has the stones to remove any of these images. >>



Let's think about this. If we continue to always change the designs, then the change itself will get boring. Most people, BTW, are NOT rushing to their bank to get this stuff. Most people still do not know their is a new presedential dollar coin.

It's hard for me to accept that there are people that feel the mint is not putting out enough new material!

RWB

In 1915 one of the reasons given for having new, different designs on each of the silver subsidiary coins was to increase their use by the public. Another reason was to raise the level of artistic appreciation of the population by exposing them to better quality art in daily commerce. The overall feeling was that people supported a more artistic coinage - maybe that feeling is still present, but the Treasury Dept. hasn't given them anything very artistic.