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Do You Think That it is Time to Get Rid of the Presidents on Coins?
Old_Collector
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I am tired of these same old coins that they never seem to revisit anymore like in years past.
This type of thread shows up periodically and I will link a couple at the bottom.
But now we have online petitions, I just started on to change our coins that can then be sent to members of Congress once it gets some support. If you support it go to https://c.org/7Nc7HBfLgQ and sign it.
Otherwise, if you like the current coins, give me an LOL for stupid idea of the month.
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I do, BUT first, please put TR on a coin.
TR?
Teddy Roosevelt
He was on one of the president small dollar coins.
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Kind of hard to count that one, all the Presidents get on those and they are not used in commerce outside of minimal use cases, most sit in the Mint vaults, particularly the later issues like 2013.
Those TR dollars were only sold through the Mint in rolls and bags and never released into circulation, so it really doesn't count IMO, as it is a NIFC coin.
I've noted that for the first few decades of presidents (or Founding Father in the case of Benjamin Franklin) appearing on coins they were historical figures from earlier in our nation's history.
Starting with the Roosevelt Dime and then with the Kennedy Half, the figures were recently deceased presidents, honored within a year of their passing. The Eisenhower dollar was issued a couple years after the former president passed away.
While the distinction might not matter so much with the passage of time, the issuance of those coins was a huge departure from coins that had been issued previously.
Get rid of all of them, including the Founders, and off the paper currency too. If we have to honor an individual, that's what commemorative coins are for.
Agreed, really all the Presidential circulating coinage was done for a commemorative purpose, even the Lincoln cent and Washington quarter -- but many just keep going long beyond into a time when many schools do not even discuss those Presidents anymore -- mostly because between COVID and poor teaching the average student graduating high school reads at less than the fifth grade level, so they are not smarter than a fifth grader, as the game show asked.
And replace them with what?
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Go back to representations of Miss Liberty for everything.
Agreed, however the Bureau of Printing and Engraving is not under mint control, it is a separate department under the Department of the Treasury, just like the US Mint. So those issues must be addressed to Secretary Bessent or Michael Brown, who is serving as Acting Director of BEP.
But you might want to wait a little while, or you might see DJT on every bill. JUST KIDDING, no politics involved.
Whatever creative individuals come up with, such as the suggestion of Miss Liberty for everything.
If we cannot come up with something better than the current dead Presidents, that indeed is proof that society is in decline for creativity.
I’ve always liked that better than presidents.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
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Yes, I think it’s time to get presidents off of our coins. They’ve had a nice run, but I’m tired of it. I also think that throwing multiple different designs out on a single denomination each year is old, too. We’ve got several coins I’ve never even seen in circulation (that are intended for circulation). I’d like to see allegorical designs run for multiple years and then get switched up again…but as I am reminded often, “I ain’t runnin’ nuthin’”
And she has skills, she can sit and stand, and even walk.
That’s funny, but in all seriousness; I truly like the full figure representation better than the bust representation. All the presidents are just bust coins only.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Well yes, politics gets involved so support that petition and I'll aim FDR and JFK at team red and Lincoln at team blue to make the point of needing change (no pun intended). And then suggest compromise where we go back to a higher ideal like Liberty as the focus of our coinage, and make commemoratives a single year or short run.
I think I signed it. Lots of great ways to get “important” things onto our coins, and I actually wouldn’t be opposed to Teddy being on a coin that actually circulates.
I love Lincoln and think his legacy needs to be remembered. 115+ years is a good enough run for doing that on a coin.
I love some of the depictions of Liberty over the years, but I sort of dread to think what "Miss Liberty" would look like today. There would have to be multiple versions to accommodate everyone. It could get real messy.
I won't go into more detail so as not to derail the thread, but let's just say that if you thought the Liberty on Barber coinage looked masculine, just wait to see what they'll come up with. 😦
As they say, be careful what you wish for.
@JBK I hear what you’re saying and would be very skeptical of what might get put on our coins…but I don’t like what’s there now, so not liking the new stuff would at least be new (I hope)
to me it's cash that pays bills and such i care not who is on what coin
1997-present
I’m inclined to say that FDR and JFK have had more than enough exposure. Less sure when it comes to our Founders, but emblematic themes across the board would be a pleasant departure. I like the new dime. I
Also like the new half, but they don’t circulate, so use the half as a commemorative piece for collectors. Redo the nickel or discontinue it. Come up with something new for the quarter and stop using it as a promotional piece, or collector enticement, or whatever motivation is behind these frequent changes.
When I look at the 1907 high relief $20 St. Guadens, the 1804 flowing hair dollar (especially the absolutely gorgeous BOM gold dollar that is to be released on August 27th), the SLH quarter, the walking Liberty 50¢, and several other coins/designs from 50-250 years ago, I see incredible masterpieces, pride in craftsmanship, and coins to admire….and now most look like they were sculpted and designed buy mediocre artists (my opinion) and not talented sculptors. Many of today’s designs look cheap, uninspired, and generally are unappealing to me. People get excited to see a Buffalo nickel…..and could care less when they see a Jefferson nickel. Show them a SLH quarter and their eyes light up…and show them a Washington quarter and they could care less. The new dime has generated a lot of excitement and I catch myself searching my daily change looking for one. The iconic designs worked……and collecting beautiful coins is indeed a wonderful hobby. Wouldn’t it be nice to get it back to that point? Cheers, karl
Yeah, many of the possible coins that the advisory committee reviewed over past years was just garbage, and much of it highly politicized, which makes it far less collectible. I'm not looking for a Liberty with massive face piercing, even if you like that stuff, it is not mainstream so why put it on a coin. Classic liberty are all awesome and they would all look great, ditto for Buffalo nickels that will be zinc with a nickel plating.
Given the most current CACC meeting and minutes, public input as to what should be depicted on coins would be an exercise in futility for the next few years. Except for American Innovation of course....
USAF veteran 1984-2005
I don’t mind the President’s being on the coins. What bothers me is how cheap looking our coins are. The clad Washington quarter used to look respectful(shout out to @cladking), but now it’s so overdone with the excessive hair detail, etc. It looks like play money. Our older quarters looked respectful with LIBERTY at the top of the obverse. I didn’t mind the different reverse designs. Those were great for kids searching through change filling their albums.
The Lincoln cent was not nearly as attractive as the IHC.
The Jefferson nickel is not nearly as attractive as the buffalo nickel.
The Roosevelt dime is not nearly as attractive as the Mercury dime.
The Washington quarter is not nearly as attractive as the SLQ.
The JFK half dollar and the Franklin half dollar are not nearly as attractive as the walking Liberty half dollar.
And no attempt at a dollar coin since the demise of the Morgan and peace dollars have been the least bit attractive.
I wish our coinage were still pretty.
But does it really matter, as coins are hardly used anymore?
There is understandably a feeling of nostalgia toward classic coin designs that predate the coins we are all familiar with, but if you look at the original designs for modern coinage they aren't without artistic merit.
Evolving production standards in the name of "coinability", such as lower reliefs and exaggerated details to offset that, have diminished the original designs.
If the mint were to start striking the old classics for circulation they would almost certainly look very different than the originals.
And anyone who says we haven't had a decent dollar design since the Morgan and Peace dollars us forgetting the SBA. 😆
Actually, some of the Presidential dollars and many of the Innovation dollars designs are excellent.
Sacagawea says "Hi" and the 2000-2008 eagle reverse is absolutely stunning.
I don’t want the old designs back. I’d like new designs that are in the same vein artistically and conceptually.
To each his own. The Sacagawea dollar certainly is better than dead presidents, but it's not nearly as pretty, IMO, as the coinage from before we started putting dead presidents on our coins.
Well, by ceasing minting of the penny, we have already got a good start on getting rid of presidents on our coinage.
If a picture wasn't going very well I'd put a puppy dog in it, always a mongrel, you know, never one of the full bred puppies. And then I'd put a bandage on its foot... I liked it when I did it, but now I'm sick of it.
Norman Rockwell
My guess is that it will remain for some time, as it is a main selling point of mint sets having a non-circulating coin. If they at least make it from copper that is a good step, then perhaps switch to an Indian Head or something.
We are looking at 2031 being the earliest to implement any real change with our coins due to the sports theme quarter and half dollars coming out between 2027 and 2030.
I'm trying to think of something American that is also universally inspiring about the American identity.
The early motifs of Lady Liberty have their place in history, as did the victories from the two World Wars, the Age of Space Exploration, and Presidential mementos. I also feel underwhelmed by our 250th anniversary.
What does America have now that we can all get behind? That's what should be on our coins.
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I can think of one.
Yes.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
Just one?
The problem with putting presidents on coins is that once you put them on you can't get them off. I have never been a fan of anyone's portrait on a regular circulation coin, but I do think that limited mintage commemms., are ok. Bring back bust and liberty seated coins-having presidents on coins was not what our founding fathers wanted.
I like the idea of restricting dead presidents to commemorative half dollars and a return to "Ms. Liberty" as the general motiff for coinage and paper money...
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Yes. put classic Lady Liberty images on the obverse and images of the Eagle on the reverse.
It's a nice thought, but I suspect that "classic Lady Liberty" would be objectionable to many people in the current era.
Let's wait until after the midterms, then we can determine if it is possible or if we need to continue our decimal coins or shift over to kopeck coins.
I really don't care if anyone finds it objectionable because I do not see our coinage (and paper money) as political statements as they have often been used for and still are -- but a unit of exchange for commerce.
And if there is a strong coin collecting community that wants something nicer that should be considered a pretty high priority if the Mint wants to keep making profits.
I have a strong feeling that the Mint sales in 2027 will fall off a cliff relative to 2026 for obvious reasons. And that may be a good thing to get their complete attention.
Sure, but no dollar coins have circulated since around 2012 -- they sold rolls and coins in sets to collectors and then stashed mass quantities in the Fed vaults. The dollar coin is really no longer practical, even if some fit in your pocket without ripping it completely off like a pocketful of Ikes would. No matter how much the government might like it, paper money is easier to carry. And they should increase the denominations to account for the massive Fed induced inflation.
Withour responding to your silly political statement, to each his own; I like the one- and two-dollar coins in Canada, and the one-and two-Euro coins in Europe. I find it much more convenient to have a meaningful amount of money in my pocket, so that I don't have to get out my wallet for a small purchase; that's not possible when the largest coin is a quarter.
I agree. But ti strengthen your point, have you seen some of the proposed designs for the Gold Liberty High Relief over the past couple of years?
Throw a coin enough times, and suppose one day it lands on its edge.
Which silly political statement? That since 1913 excess Fed liquidity and a target inflation rate to devalue fiat necessitates higher denominations as we eliminate the cent for being unnecessary due to cumulative INFLATION?
Sorry, first that is not political as all Fed chairs have pursued the same policy regardless of party.
Second, you obviously have not ever done any academic financial research, as this is widely accepted as a truism, supported by looking at actual inflation rates pre and post Fed a hundred or so years each direction.
$1.00 in 2026 buys about what 12¢ bought in 1970.
$1.00 in 2026 buys about what 7¢ bought in 1950.
$1.00 in 2026 buys about what 3¢ bought in 1920.
These figures are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the standard measure used for inflation adjustments published by the US government. And this phenomenon is true in all countries with a central bank, Canadian values are about the same as those shown above for America.
Back to coins, I believe our dollar coins are circulating in some foreign countries. Also, one wonders why Canada and other foreign countries have embraced larger denomination coins, yet we have not. Is it a result of withdrawing or limiting paper currency?
Our dollar coins circulate in poor countries, but not nearly to the extent of our paper money. Federal Reserve data shows that 60-80% of all US hundred dollar bills circulate in foreign countries. Nobody will want 100 dollar coins instead, they are more complimentary.
I remember the excuse that there weren't enough compartments in cash register tills to hold all the denominations, including dollar coins. Now with the cent going away, there will be room for dollar coins, but we'll conveniently come up with some other reason.
Don't forget the 50 cent piece; it needs to be used in circulation again.