Teddy Roosevelt Circulating Coinage ?
aus3000tin
Posts: 369 ✭✭✭
With all that Teddy Roosevelt has done for coinage, why is it he is NOT on a circulating coin ?
I'm NOT talking about the Presidents coin series, but rather a coin which would be all of his own, like the Lincoln cent, Jefferson nickel, etc.
It seems he should be the best candidate to be on a coin.
I mean he's on Mount Rushmore with the other 3 great Presidents (Washington, Lincoln & Jefferson).
"He even ordered changes made in the minting of a coin whose design he disliked..." (Wikipedia.org)
"While President, Roosevelt took an active interest in the design of American coinage, personally commissioning renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign the “double eagle” ($20) gold coin and the $10 Indian head gold eagle. " (USMint.gov)
it would be kind of cool to see him on a $2 coin series of his own.
Just my 2 cents.
Chris
Comments
Theodore Roosevelt, in my personal opinion, certainly ranks as one of the greatest Presidents. He has always been a favorite of mine... I am not one who likes 'people on coins'.... other than the representations of Liberty. However, given the propensity of current times, he would certainly deserve such an honor. The sad part is, only old people would even recognize why he would be so honored... History is not important to the younger generations today... and many schools are not even spending time on such things. Cheers, RickO
As a statesman, hunter, "carry a big stick" president, he wouldn't fit at all in today's version of America.
I think he belongs on a circulating coin.
Theodore Roosevelt was white, male, and a minor aristocrat in the society where he was born. Not happening in today's America.
I think these still circulate
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
TR is on two circulating coins - a state quarter and a national parks quarter.
But I get your point.
TR would be a great subject but a little problematic for the reasons already stated.
Also, once you opened up the process to try to get him on a coin, look out! There would be a rush to add images of just about anyone you can think of to a coin. Every special interest group would push for their favorite person.
I would prefer that NO President ever grace a circulating coin again. I would be willing to remove all of the current ones. Certainly JFK does not merit a permanent coin. And I while Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and FDR might merit one, I could live without memorial coins. Give me eagles or Turkeys or Liberty motifs instead.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
TR was proposed for a 2-1/2 cent coin, but the idea denomination did not generate public or Congressional support.
The fundamental reasons for ignoring TR were built on objections to nearly everything he did and stood for by his own political party. Animosity continued through Hoover's disastrous administration, and FDR, while praising TR, could not reasonably promote his cousin's legacy - even though he supported many of the same policies.
TR's progressive, pragmatic and public-favoring policies made him largely a pariah in his party, but he was too popular with the public for Lodge and others to do more than complain.
Also, when he died in 1919, every denomination had recently been changed and was not eligible for re-design, except for the dollar which was not being struck.
He helped to preserve a lot of beautiful places here.
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TR did not want to be on coin. While some may complain of his unconventional style, it is hard to complain about his service and dedication to issues that mattered.
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