Do you think that the mint is running out of good "artistic" ideas for coins?

Newcomp103

And is that why they are having to recycle and use old coin designs (Silver Eagle-WLH, Gold Eagle-Saint, Jefferson Liberty-Bust, Gold Buffalo/Indian-uh....the same one!, etc.)on newly struck pieces? Are the designers just out of fresh ideas? What do you think?

edix2001

Yes, they should focus on more post-modern designs like the recent partial portrait of Jefferson on the 2005 nickels.

fcloud

They ran out when they started using dead presidents.

fc

all they need to do is ask around in art circles. find the brilliant
artists of today and allow them to design as they wish.

dont burden them with rules and crap. just let them dream up a
vision of what america is to them.

the results from several different artists would probably be stunning.

notwilight

The mint doesn't have any artistic designs for coins. they hire artists. Artists will never run out.

Artist

This:



<< <i>And is that why they are having to recycle and use old coin designs (Silver Eagle-WLH, Gold Eagle-Saint, Jefferson Liberty-Bust, Gold Buffalo/Indian-uh....the same one!, etc.)on newly struck pieces? Are the designers just out of fresh ideas? What do you think? >>



Is best answered by this:



<< <i>The mint doesn't have any artistic designs for coins. they hire artists. Artists will never run out. >>



There are four or five full time sculptor engravors who work for the Mint full time, as well as 20 or 30 independent contractors from the private sector who comprise the Mint's Artistic Infusion Program - unfortunately, these artists are rarely given the freedom to conceptualize designs from start to finish; rather they are told what to design often very specifically, and then these designs are run by several committees who all interject their own ideas as they move closer towards being coined. The advantage of using old designs is that a.) everyone is already on the same page with regard to what the finished coin will look like when the project begins, and b.) old designs have a core fan following of who automatically will buy the issue.

If you were a record company, and could only afford to put out one album, would you rather take a chance on releasing some great music by a new band no one had ever heard of yet, or would you rather put out the 37th studio album, victory-lap effort by the Rolling Stones even though the music was mostly besides the point?

19Lyds

<< <i>And is that why they are having to recycle and use old coin designs (Silver Eagle-WLH, Gold Eagle-Saint, Jefferson Liberty-Bust, Gold Buffalo/Indian-uh....the same one!, etc.)on newly struck pieces? Are the designers just out of fresh ideas? What do you think? >>



These are all bullion coins done so with the specific intent of attracting non-collectors into purchasing them.

Speaking of poor designs ( and yes I realize that this is a state design) but have you seen the circulating Wyoming Quarter?



I opened a bag of P Mint quarters and these things are really really plain Jane yucky! The horse and rider have absolutely no relief and the fields, even though they are clear, have practically no mint luster what-so-ever! These truely look like aluminum tokens on the reverses!

Zoins

<< <i>And is that why they are having to recycle and use old coin designs (Silver Eagle-WLH, Gold Eagle-Saint, Jefferson Liberty-Bust, Gold Buffalo/Indian-uh....the same one!, etc.)on newly struck pieces? Are the designers just out of fresh ideas? What do you think? >>

I don't think they're out of fresh ideas. I think they recycle designs because they've figured out that collectors like to buy those. The other thing is that there's too much politics with new designs. Congress should stop meddling.

zkcoins

<< <i>They ran out when they started using dead presidents. >>



I have to agree here....Personally I would have elected to continue without the Presidents if I had be a mint director around the time that decision was made.

tightbudget

To tell you the truth, I'd be happy spending just ordinary blank planchets. The designs are just that bad nowadays.

Zoins

Should the ANA push for the abolishment of the Dead Presidents?

Just trying to find ways the ANA can engage in activities that are meaningful to more collectors.

ModernCrapNut

The Wyoming SHQ is the mint's latest idea. Put out a coin that looks G-8 on the reverse.

rmoss

Their hands are tied. Look at the flowing hair coin Gasparro designed to be the first small dollar and look at what the "Politically Correct" gave us instead, the SBA dollar.

PerryHall

<< <i>They ran out when they started using dead presidents. >>



Don't blame the mint. The Presidents were mandated by congress.

Steve27

The problem has nothing to do with good artistic designs; the issue is mass production. They take nice designs, lower the relief, and produce ugly coins by the 100 million.

Barndog

<< <i>Should the ANA push for the abolishment of the Dead Presidents?

Just trying to find ways the ANA can engage in activities that are meaningful to more collectors. >>



some would argue that a few live ones need to go

TwoSides2aCoin

The only thing the mint's run out of is cents

I was going to edit for how "CENTS" is spelled, but this is coin related.

ricko

They do not give artists 'free rein' - even within reason. It is all about consensus by committee, which is why we get junk/trash/garbage/shameful renditions in metal etc, etc, etc...... I am completely and totally fed up with the mint/congress and whoever else is involved in approving coinage design. Pure crap. We need someone like Teddy Roosevelt - who gave an artist liberty to design. Ah well, rant over.. back to grumbling... Cheers, RickO

Zoins

<< <i>The problem has nothing to do with good artistic designs; the issue is mass production. They take nice designs, lower the relief, and produce ugly coins by the 100 million. >>

If this is the problem then the problem is that coins are used to facilitate commerce and that commerce has changed.

DUIGUY

<< <i>To tell you the truth, I'd be happy spending just ordinary blank planchets. The designs are just that bad nowadays. >>



It does'nt get any better then this.

beartracks42

<< <i>The problem has nothing to do with good artistic designs; the issue is mass production. They take nice designs, lower the relief, and produce ugly coins by the 100 million. >>





Unfortunately, it is all about money and not about pleasing quality designs.

SkyMan

Criminey, what is so difficult about designing a Ms. Liberty with the wind blowing through her hair? Heck, if you want it, you could change the face every 25 years.

Zoins

<< <i>Criminey, what is so difficult about designing a Ms. Liberty with the wind blowing through her hair? Heck, if you want it, you could change the face every 25 years. >>

Not enough people are interested in lobbying for her. There are more special interests fighting for Indians, Dead Presidents and even Dead Presidents homes. We'd need to have a lobbying group to get involved. The ANA could do it. I'm not sure anyone else could.