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Who is the most important influencer today in the designs of US Coins and Medals?
Casabrown
Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭
Current and former members of the CCAC are ineligible to answer this questions!!
1
Casabrown
Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭
Casabrown
Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭
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An 8th grader. Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
To me current coin and medal designs are committee approved and autocad generated to the point there is no original art work left to inspire. Otherwise my answer is the Greeks.
My partly snarky and partly sadly realistic answer is whomever puts together the cut-and-paste image options for computerized clip art.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Politicians. Everything is based on what the designers think the politicians and their "activist" friends will find acceptable.
I can't say that I am entirely surprised, but I was hoping for different responses. Because I am optimistic, I will be patient to hear more responses.
Thanks
It is my impression that the committee that approves the designs are influenced by current social whims and select with that in mind. Cheers, RickO
Congress has the most clout to influence coinage designs, in 1792 and present. To a lesser extent Mint artists, CCAC, and the public.
Jeanne Stevens-Sollman stated that US coinage "needs more guts" - bolder designs with higher relief, but I think her plea will fall on deaf ears. Joe Menna needs to step up on this as he does have authority to make changes on the technical attributes of coinage.
The original intent and congressional action leading to the Coinage Act of 1792 (section 10) should be studied by CCAC. The obverses of primary circulating coinage are the opposite of what the Founders intended.
There were more, and better, coin denominations in 1796 than there is today. The cent needs to go and higher denomination circulating coinage should be re-introduced, IMO.
I believe that CCAC has influenced and approved some excellent reverse designs on National Parks Quarters and the American Women on Quarters Program.
Is it just me, or does the word "influencer" make other people throw up in their mouths just a little?
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
The Bald Eagle.
In the interest of full transparency, I am the current Chair of the CCAC. I am also a member of the baby boomer generation. Because of both, I have come to appreciate that there is value in engaging all generations by using terminology that lands with as many views as possible, being authentic and diplomatic.
The term influencer has come to land on many over the past few years. If we are to continue the enjoyment of our hobby to future generations, we must be willing to hear them even if we differ.
I am also confident that we can leave the impression that despite the differences within the numismatic community that we are not just a pessimistic or sarcastic bunch.
just my two cents!
Greysheet has a story on Darla Jackson;
https://www.greysheet.com/news/story/new-appointee-joins-citizens-coinage-advisory-committee-as-member-specially-qualified-in-sculpture-or-medallic-arts?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=0zccTSVAN85ozfPgHZe2phhidgvJdVYG6OcZIq6uHSE=.TrdffQ
Monnaie de Paris ? https://www.monnaiedeparis.fr/en/shop/collection-history-of-united-states-independence
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
It's called agenda politics. Governing body making the decision is only interested in fulfilling an agenda, with no regard as to the coins intrinsic beauty, its representation of Young America's struggle to become an older America, nor any of our country's values and basis for our form of government and its constitutional values. It is so sad when we have had the most beautifully designed and sculpted coinage in the world and now deteriorated to this. JMO
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
This is a thoughtful question. IMHO most all of the pre-1933/45/47 coins featured Liberty in various motifs, including Native Americans as symbolic of Liberty. I would have to go with the original leaders - The first four Presidents and affiliated Congresses who decided to Make US Coinage Feature LIBERTY, to the advent of Presidential busts on the coins. The last circulating coins to feature Liberty were the dime (Mercury - 1945), and half (Walking Liberty - 1947). I believe (?) it was John Quincy Adams who visited the Monnaie de Paris mint operations in 1780, prior to Washington's Presidency, and communicated with his wife, and then Thomas Jefferson about setting up a Mint.
FYI : Here is a great article on African American themed coins
https://coinweek.com/us-coins-african-american-numismatic-legacy/
George T Morgan
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The one person who has the final authority on coinage design is the Treasury Secretary, although that authority is more approval than an influencer, and I don't believe Janet Yellen has anything to do with design development.
Chief Engraver Joe Menna has left his mark in many ways including the modeling of the shield reverse cent, dollar designs, and various NCLT designs. I believe that he could do more with the circulating obverse designs by asserting his authority. It is the circulating coinage that the public sees, most people are not aware of the NCLT coinage or dollar coins. I hope that the CCAC has direct contact with the Chief Engraver so that items such as Stevens-Sollman request for "more guts" (quote from ANA presentation) can become a reality on coinage.
Let me say that I really appreciate the recent comments to this post. I wonder if my question was too vague so I believe it is important that I revise the question to the following:
Who is the most important influencer today in the designs of US Coins and Medals?
Casabrown
It's not a single person, but rather groups of activists/lobbyists in concert with politicians.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
Still a very thought-full question. Could it be the Mint Director or is this job strictly about execution, distribution, marketing, and sales ? Circulating coins are somewhat predetermined and legislated. If we go by popular coins however, take the ASE - the most popular bullion coin in the world, it would seem that the designer Damstra would hold key position together with the person (Treasury Secretary with recs. from CCAC and CFA, and possibly the Mint Dir.) who made the decision to put her Eagle design on the coin.
Some people of the past continue to influence today.
Very interesting responses.
I think one of our most talented medallic sculptors is Heidi Wastweet, who was a member of CCAC and in the AIP now. An interesting exercise is to compare her US Mint coins with her privately commissioned work.
An interesting thing is that CCAC was formed in 2003, during the 50 State Quarters Program. Immediately before CCAC, I would say the most important influencer in coin designs were U.S. Citizens through the various state quarter design competitions that were held, however, during the course of that program, the ability of citizens to influence the coin designs was diminished. Today, it's a bit unclear me who has the most influence, but it does not appear to be US citizens as there seems to be limited participation from citizens today.
Very interesting comments. I will share my perspectives after Sunday.
Current designs in many many cases obscure US history. The political and social agendas of current coin designs seem to seek to ignore the symbols of the past.
Hopefully not to bury them.
Quite interesting
I long for the more complete use of the exergue in the application of design elements. Peace Roy
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Dan Carr gets my vote. He keeps up.
re-designs
Re-designs are coming.