That “shield” on the reverse... the link between the past to the present 2018 AI coin.
Explanation from Coin Update:
Hidden in plain sight: Reverse of the 2018 American Innovation dollar pays subtle homage to the legendary designer of the Buffalo nickel.
After reading through this description, you’ll notice that every detail on the reverse is elucidated — save one. Above the inscription, AMERICAN INNOVATORS, there is a notable cartouche of an eagle crouching on an angled shield. The eagle’s wings are spread behind it, and below the shield are tools that symbolize innovation. Apart from its size, the cartouche stands out from the rest of the reverse design since it appears to be of Neoclassical style rather than a modern one. The reason for this is quite simple because the cartouche is based on the work of beloved Neoclassical sculptor, James Earle Fraser.
The cartouche on the reverse of the 2018 American Innovation dollar is based upon a bas-relief, on the outside of the Herbert Hoover Federal Building, which represents the U.S. Patent and Trade Office. This relief, like many other sculptures and architectural designs in the nation’s capital, is an example of Neoclassical art. It turns out that Fraser sculpted the many reliefs and figures on the Herbert Hoover Federal Building, including the one representing the U.S. Patent and Trade Office that inspired the cartouche on the 2018 American Innovation dollar. Fraser was a prolific sculptor and designer, with much of his work still featured throughout Washington D.C. However, in the world of coin collecting, he is best known for his design of the Buffalo nickel.
@PipestonePete said:
I left a few as tip money over the weekend in SW Minnesota. I hope the banks recognizes those coins when the businesses go to trade them in.
Did the same at several places... very interesting to see the initial surprise and then the double take by the recipients. So far, no one has asked what it is. I figure they went straight to their smart phone and did a goog search out of my sight.
@PipestonePete said:
I left a few as tip money over the weekend in SW Minnesota. I hope the banks recognizes those coins when the businesses go to trade them in.
My hope is the opposite. My hope is that they can’t redeem them and have to keep them for a ‘collection.’
The cartouche on the reverse of the 2018 American Innovation dollar is based upon a bas-relief, on the outside of the Herbert Hoover Federal Building, which represents the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (part of the Department of Commerce). This relief, like many other sculptures and architectural designs in the nation’s capital, is an example of Neoclassical art. It turns out that Fraser sculpted the many reliefs and figures on the Herbert Hoover Federal Building, including the one representing the U.S. Patent and Trade Office that inspired the cartouche on the 2018 American Innovation dollar.
Herbert Hoover was also a very successful geologist and mining engineer before being President and travelled all over the world improving mines and developing new ones. His lectures at Columbia and Stanford universities were published in 1909 as Principles of Mining, which became a standard mining textbook. He used to be a tough mine manager, but then later came to endorse eight-hour workdays and organized labor. He converted his time to public service around 1914 and was instrumental in charge of relief efforts for starving victims in Europe when Germany invaded them, and led the US Food Administration to make sure the US Public had adequate food during WW1. When that war ended in November 1918, Europe continued to face a critical food situation. Hoover estimated that as many as 400 million people faced the possibility of starvation. The United States Food Administration became the American Relief Administration (ARA), and Hoover was charged with providing food to Central and Eastern Europe, and later became the Secretary of Commerce before being elected President.
Construction of the US Patent Office began on October 4, 1927, when Herbert Hoover was the Secretary of Commerce, and the cornerstone was laid on July 10, 1929, early in Hoover's presidential term. The building was completed in 1932 and at that time, it was the largest office building in the world. The building was renamed after Hoover in December 1981 by act of Congress to "pay tribute to this great Commerce Secretary," making no mention of Hoover's presidency, which was marked by the beginning of the Great Depression.
It was officially dedicated as the Herbert C. Hoover Building on April 25, 1983, coinciding with the release of the first volume of George H. Nash's biography, The Life of Herbert Hoover: The Engineer, which I have a copy signed by the author. As a mining engineer since the 70's who has also worked in, or reviewed dozens of mines on 6 continents, that part of his early career is quite special to me.
I picked up a couple innovation 100 coin bags at $111.95 each from the Mint to hand out or buy things on occasion at stores, the Grange, Scouts, bell ringers, tips, etc. Like some mentioned above it is nice to get a few out into circulation.
I didn't even buy a proof, but someone sure likes them.
There is supposed to be one Innobuck released every quarter (i.e. every three months.) Just like the presidential silver medals, and kinda like the ATB quarters. Evenly spaced during the year.
The first two quarters (through the end of June) of the product schedule has been populated, and all the Innobucks are still scheduled TBD. This is the end of the first quarter.
I think the new Director has big plans for these. The potential scope of the subjects is huge -"A significant innovation... An innovator... A group of innovators" is extremely vague and could be interpreted in many ways. The prohibitions on "head and shoulders [portraits] or [busts]" and "[portraits] of a living person" safeguard against lazy design and blatant pandering. The state and territory chief executives need to be "consulted" but the Secretary has the final say - their wishes could be totally disregarded.
In engaged hands, this gives the Mint the most artistic freedom in coin design they've had in ages. Ever, even.
@cursive said:
I think the new Director has big plans for these. The potential scope of the subjects is huge -"A significant innovation... An innovator... A group of innovators" is extremely vague and could be interpreted in many ways. The prohibitions on "head and shoulders [portraits] or [busts]" and "[portraits] of a living person" safeguard against lazy design and blatant pandering. The state and territory chief executives need to be "consulted" but the Secretary has the final say - their wishes could be totally disregarded.
In engaged hands, this gives the Mint the most artistic freedom in coin design they've had in ages. Ever, even.
You could say the same thing about the 50sq's and the ATB's. Many of those were executed... poorly.
This is just another congressional boondoggle. (I can't believe boondoggle passed my spell checker. )
They probably could have had these coins out already if congress didn't foist this on the Mint with minimal notice...
@thefinn said:
I wish they would get rid of that cheap looking "$1" denomination and actually put, "ONE DOLLAR" on it. It makes these things look like cheap arcade tokens.
They had to do that because the Norfeds were harking in on their action. They had to claim official use of the "$" sign.
@thefinn said:
I wish they would get rid of that cheap looking "$1" denomination and actually put, "ONE DOLLAR" on it. It makes these things look like cheap arcade tokens.
They had to do that because the Norfeds were harking in on their action. They had to claim official use of the "$" sign.
Are you answering yourself? I thought I only did that.
No, they had to put in the "$1" because the law demands it:
Ah, nylon... okay, I get the toothbrush, paratrooper, but the prop plane?
Read the article. Now understand why the plane, but why is it so prominent on the coin it’s purpose was to “deliver” the paratrooper. It should be shown flying away.
The above was an example thought process of how bad that design is.
There ARE 16 designs.
Delaware...
—————
For those intent on collecting the AI series.
-4 states/territories per year
-two versions of the 100-coin bag per state (probably P/D mints)
-two versions of the roll per state/territories (probably P/D mints)
-one proof coin per state/territory
-one reverse proof per state/territory
So for a complete run of AI coins each year you’ll need 4-coins (unc P, unc S, PF, and RP) per state/territory for a total of 16-coins per year.
At least there are plans to mint the PF and unc as sets, but the RP does not appear to be in a set. Total individual purchases to get the full 4-coins for each state/territory per year is: Buy an unc set, PF set, and four individual RF coins for a total of six purchases. Could be worse, i.e., no sets.
Oh and there is an AI registry(ies). So one will need to get MS70, PF70, and RP70 for each state/territory per year or whatever variants there are for the registry(ies).
@Hemispherical said:
The above was an example thought process of how bad that design is.
There ARE 16 designs.
But none of the others have toothbrushes on 'em. I want a toothbrush coin.
Gosh, I can't wait to see what innovative designs come up for the rest of the 55 coins. (Well, yeah, I can, but we're gonna get four design sets a year, like it or not...)
After calling these things innobucks for such a long time, I had a hard time figuring out what AI's was. Yeah, I know it's in the title of this thread...
@Hemispherical said:
The above was an example thought process of how bad that design is.
There ARE 16 designs.
But none of the others have toothbrushes on 'em. I want a toothbrush coin.
Gosh, I can't wait to see what innovative designs come up for the rest of the 55 coins. (Well, yeah, I can, but we're gonna get four design sets a year, like it or not...)
After calling these things innobucks for such a long time, I had a hard time figuring out what AI's was. Yeah, I know it's in the title of this thread...
My finger’s took the shortest abbreviation it could find; but still have to hit the shift key.
Comments
Maybe we should start funding ALL government departments similarly!
18GA 2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN 142494 01/20/2019
I think the next line is "Damn you all to hell!"
It's a classic!
That “shield” on the reverse... the link between the past to the present 2018 AI coin.
Explanation from Coin Update:
Hidden in plain sight: Reverse of the 2018 American Innovation dollar pays subtle homage to the legendary designer of the Buffalo nickel.
After reading through this description, you’ll notice that every detail on the reverse is elucidated — save one. Above the inscription, AMERICAN INNOVATORS, there is a notable cartouche of an eagle crouching on an angled shield. The eagle’s wings are spread behind it, and below the shield are tools that symbolize innovation. Apart from its size, the cartouche stands out from the rest of the reverse design since it appears to be of Neoclassical style rather than a modern one. The reason for this is quite simple because the cartouche is based on the work of beloved Neoclassical sculptor, James Earle Fraser.
The cartouche on the reverse of the 2018 American Innovation dollar is based upon a bas-relief, on the outside of the Herbert Hoover Federal Building, which represents the U.S. Patent and Trade Office. This relief, like many other sculptures and architectural designs in the nation’s capital, is an example of Neoclassical art. It turns out that Fraser sculpted the many reliefs and figures on the Herbert Hoover Federal Building, including the one representing the U.S. Patent and Trade Office that inspired the cartouche on the 2018 American Innovation dollar. Fraser was a prolific sculptor and designer, with much of his work still featured throughout Washington D.C. However, in the world of coin collecting, he is best known for his design of the Buffalo nickel.
Source: http://news.coinupdate.com/hidden-in-plain-sight-reverse-of-the-2018-american-innovation-dollar-pays-subtle-homage-to-the-legendary-designer-of-the-buffalo-nickel/
I have to admit, I am astounded by this number. I wonder how many they struck. From the Feb 10 data:
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN 157,100
Appears to be not very popular.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
I left a few as tip money over the weekend in SW Minnesota. I hope the banks recognizes those coins when the businesses go to trade them in.
Did the same at several places... very interesting to see the initial surprise and then the double take by the recipients. So far, no one has asked what it is. I figure they went straight to their smart phone and did a goog search out of my sight.
My hope is the opposite. My hope is that they can’t redeem them and have to keep them for a ‘collection.’
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
158892
02/17/2019
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
165262
02/24/2019
Herbert Hoover was also a very successful geologist and mining engineer before being President and travelled all over the world improving mines and developing new ones. His lectures at Columbia and Stanford universities were published in 1909 as Principles of Mining, which became a standard mining textbook. He used to be a tough mine manager, but then later came to endorse eight-hour workdays and organized labor. He converted his time to public service around 1914 and was instrumental in charge of relief efforts for starving victims in Europe when Germany invaded them, and led the US Food Administration to make sure the US Public had adequate food during WW1. When that war ended in November 1918, Europe continued to face a critical food situation. Hoover estimated that as many as 400 million people faced the possibility of starvation. The United States Food Administration became the American Relief Administration (ARA), and Hoover was charged with providing food to Central and Eastern Europe, and later became the Secretary of Commerce before being elected President.
Construction of the US Patent Office began on October 4, 1927, when Herbert Hoover was the Secretary of Commerce, and the cornerstone was laid on July 10, 1929, early in Hoover's presidential term. The building was completed in 1932 and at that time, it was the largest office building in the world. The building was renamed after Hoover in December 1981 by act of Congress to "pay tribute to this great Commerce Secretary," making no mention of Hoover's presidency, which was marked by the beginning of the Great Depression.
It was officially dedicated as the Herbert C. Hoover Building on April 25, 1983, coinciding with the release of the first volume of George H. Nash's biography, The Life of Herbert Hoover: The Engineer, which I have a copy signed by the author. As a mining engineer since the 70's who has also worked in, or reviewed dozens of mines on 6 continents, that part of his early career is quite special to me.
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
A coin to a cartouch to a building to the 31st President. Loving the history lesson and thanks for posting @Goldminers.
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
168062
03/03/2019
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
169704
03/10/2019
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
171146
03/17/2019
I picked up a couple innovation 100 coin bags at $111.95 each from the Mint to hand out or buy things on occasion at stores, the Grange, Scouts, bell ringers, tips, etc. Like some mentioned above it is nice to get a few out into circulation.
I didn't even buy a proof, but someone sure likes them.
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
171996
03/24/2019
Haven't seen a single one circulating here yet! Probably never will..................
I mentioned this in another thread....
There is supposed to be one Innobuck released every quarter (i.e. every three months.) Just like the presidential silver medals, and kinda like the ATB quarters. Evenly spaced during the year.
The first two quarters (through the end of June) of the product schedule has been populated, and all the Innobucks are still scheduled TBD. This is the end of the first quarter.
I wonder what's up with these?
I think the new Director has big plans for these. The potential scope of the subjects is huge -"A significant innovation... An innovator... A group of innovators" is extremely vague and could be interpreted in many ways. The prohibitions on "head and shoulders [portraits] or [busts]" and "[portraits] of a living person" safeguard against lazy design and blatant pandering. The state and territory chief executives need to be "consulted" but the Secretary has the final say - their wishes could be totally disregarded.
In engaged hands, this gives the Mint the most artistic freedom in coin design they've had in ages. Ever, even.
You could say the same thing about the 50sq's and the ATB's. Many of those were executed... poorly.
This is just another congressional boondoggle. (I can't believe boondoggle passed my spell checker.
)
They probably could have had these coins out already if congress didn't foist this on the Mint with minimal notice...
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
172970
03/31/2019
Boondoggle passed my spell checker too!
@BackroadJunkie
My Hobo name is “Brass” back story on why kids called me that is up to your imagination it was 7th grade.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
@Kkathyl Braces?
No braces
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
All of my guesses result in being sued for sexual harassment.
They had to do that because the Norfeds were harking in on their action. They had to claim official use of the "$" sign.
Are you answering yourself? I thought I only did that.
No, they had to put in the "$1" because the law demands it:
H.R.770 - American Innovation $1 Coin Act
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
174164
04/07/2019
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
174691
04/14/2019
Jeez. Well into the second quarter and they're considering the designs for Delaware now.
Be prepared for the next three to be rushed through to get the coins out before the end of the year...
Mint News Blog pulished the proposed designs:
mintnewsblog: 2019 American Innovation $1 coin designs: Delaware
Hell, I want the toothbrushes. When was a toothbrush last on a US coin?
Delaware.
Ah, nylon... okay, I get the toothbrush, paratrooper, but the prop plane?
Read the article. Now understand why the plane, but why is it so prominent on the coin it’s purpose was to “deliver” the paratrooper. It should be shown flying away.
The above was an example thought process of how bad that design is.
There ARE 16 designs.
Delaware...
—————
For those intent on collecting the AI series.
-4 states/territories per year
-two versions of the 100-coin bag per state (probably P/D mints)
-two versions of the roll per state/territories (probably P/D mints)
-one proof coin per state/territory
-one reverse proof per state/territory
So for a complete run of AI coins each year you’ll need 4-coins (unc P, unc S, PF, and RP) per state/territory for a total of 16-coins per year.
At least there are plans to mint the PF and unc as sets, but the RP does not appear to be in a set. Total individual purchases to get the full 4-coins for each state/territory per year is: Buy an unc set, PF set, and four individual RF coins for a total of six purchases. Could be worse, i.e., no sets.
Oh and there is an AI registry(ies). So one will need to get MS70, PF70, and RP70 for each state/territory per year or whatever variants there are for the registry(ies).
My 2C and counting.
—————
@BackroadJunkie Thanks for the heads-up on the AI’s!
Yikes

Oh well, they could be saving me a bunch of money
My Saint Set
But none of the others have toothbrushes on 'em. I want a toothbrush coin.
Gosh, I can't wait to see what innovative designs come up for the rest of the 55 coins. (Well, yeah, I can, but we're gonna get four design sets a year, like it or not...)
After calling these things innobucks for such a long time, I had a hard time figuring out what AI's was. Yeah, I know it's in the title of this thread...
My finger’s took the shortest abbreviation it could find; but still have to hit the shift key.
One should always brush one's teeth before jumping out of an airplane.
It makes things better for the examiner who has to identify the body by examining the teeth.
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
175687
04/21/2019
Mint News Blog has published the Georgia designs. Fruity...
mintnewsblog:2019 American Innovation $1 coin designs: Georgia
Growing fruit trees and plants.
What has those designs have to do with innovation?
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
176142
04/28/201
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
176834
05/05/2019
Confused goth music student in the school band's brass section?
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
177454
05/12/2019
18GA
2018 AI $1 PROOF COIN
178212
05/19/2019
The P & D 100-coin bags are sold-out.
Last sales numbers:
18GBA
2018 AI $1 100-COIN BAG (P)
2935
05/19/2019
18GBE
2018 AI $1 100-COIN BAG (D)
2954
05/19/2019
Edit to add the link:
https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-innovation-1-coin-2018-rolls-and-bags-MASTER_INNOVATION.html?cgid=american-innovation-1-coins
The 25-coin rolls are still available.
I can't find anything???
Do you have a link?
My Saint Set
Sorry, pasted the snapshot but forgot the link. I put the link in the previous post.
Sorry Hemi, I thought that was the "toothbrush" coin that sold out.
My mistake.
Can't wait to get my hands on the some of those nylon-airplanes.
My Saint Set
Hoping some of the State AI designs get an overhaul. Would be funny being known on by a coin as the toothbrush state.
