Which is the BEST design of the early commems?

dizzyfoxx · October 27, 2005 11:33PM

I think it's pretty tough to beat the Gettysburg and Oregon Trail. Both are outstanding designs on obverse and reverse. If I had to choose one, I'd say the Gettysburg. What do you think are the best?

CoinResource · October 27, 2005 11:34PM

I like Connecticut

dbldie55 · October 27, 2005 11:41PM

The Oregon has always been my favorite, but there is something about the Texas I really like as well.

Barndog · October 27, 2005 11:48PM

I'm originally a New Englander, so I am partial to the Pilgrim commem. There's something about the introspective look on the Pilgrim's face that I like.

LeeG · October 27, 2005 11:56PM

For the amount of detail and different "things" going on, both Obverse and Reverse, a nice Norfolk can't be beat. I'm partial to this one

PerryHall · October 28, 2005 12:01AM

Since you didn't limit it to silver commems, my favorite is the Pan Pac $2 1/2 gold piece with Miss Liberty riding on the back of a hippocampus while holding a caduceus.

meos1 · October 28, 2005 12:08AM

Still I think Oregon trail comes to mind forst for me. I have on that does not have the irredesant look of Dizzys but is a strong 64 possible 65. I also have a set of Columbias complete complete with the original paperwork (Envelope, letter, holder). There is a thread with pics in it somewhere on the board if your interested. I would love to pick up a Lexington with the original box. I also have Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins: 1892 - 1989 by Anthony Swiatek and Walter Breen. Love the commeratives each is so different and the history of some of these is incredible.

Dan

mommam17 · October 28, 2005 12:25AM

My favorites are the ones with animals, ships, and bridges. Bay Bridge, Antietam, Vermont, California, Stone Mountain, Albany and my home state of Connecticut do it for me. Dr. Mike Cali had a Lexington with original box that was for sale. Don`t know if he still has it??? Forgot the PILGRIM!

Merc · October 28, 2005 12:29AM

IMO, most of the early (and modern) commems are ugly.

The best ones are the Pan-Pac $2.5 and $50 gold. The designs are beautiful and unique for US coinage.

Bustman · October 28, 2005 12:29AM

Oregon, Gettysburgh, Antietam. In that order.

OKbustchaser · October 28, 2005 2:26AM

Personally, I am not nearly as fond of the Oregon as most people are. My top three (in no particular order) would probably be Antietam, Pan-Pac (half) and Vancouver.

Of course, that said, I do have an Oregon and have never found a Vancouver that I liked enough for the price.

Jim

Outhaul · October 28, 2005 2:30AM

Connecticut

Bustman · October 28, 2005 2:33AM

Yeah, forgot about the Pan-Pac. That one is up there at the top!

dpoole · October 28, 2005 2:34AM

I like Gettysburg and Antietam. Of course, I'm a Civil War buff.

rmoss · October 28, 2005 2:42AM

I have grown fond of the Washington/Carver over the years.
Also like:
Delaware
And the Oregon is growing on me

p8nt · October 28, 2005 2:44AM

Dizzy, I dont have any commems. Why dont you send me some so I can decide?

Russ · October 28, 2005 2:46AM

Russ, NCNE

Cladiator · October 28, 2005 2:49AM

I'm a Bay Bridge fan.

Clankeye · October 28, 2005 3:01AM

Not necessarily the "best" design, but when I find a Lincoln/Illinois with the right look, I just love them.

The portrait of Lincoln on the obverse is excellent, IMO.

I also like the reverse of the Monroe and the Hawaiian.

Clankeye

Jcarney · October 28, 2005 5:07AM

<< I'm originally a New Englander, so I am partial to the Pilgrim commem. There's something about the introspective look on the Pilgrim's face that I like. >>

Not to mention the fact that it flat out has the coolest looking ship ever to appear on a US coin. I'm currently doing a short set of US Commems with ships on the reverse and the Pilgrim is the first coin I purchased.

I was looking for the pic of my Pilgrim, but can't find it. I'll see if I can dig it up later.

Pghpete · October 28, 2005 5:34AM

I also vote for the Texas commem. Winged Liberty sticks so far out on that coin that I could give her a hug. My second favorite is the Stone Mtn. commem.

Numismanic · October 28, 2005 6:22AM

My favorite is the Missouri 2x2, followed by the Vancouver.

Bustman · October 28, 2005 7:48AM

<< My favorite is the Missouri 2x2, followed by the Vancouver. >>

Here's a super nice Missouri 2x4. LINK

OKbustchaser · October 28, 2005 7:55AM

<< My favorite is the Missouri 2x2, followed by the Vancouver. >>

That's interesting...I much prefer the non 2X2---just as I prefer the non star Grant.

Bustman · October 28, 2005 8:18AM

Umm.... it's a 2x4. Speaking of the Missouri, I was reading Walter Breens descrition of the coin. He wrote " the reverse depicts a rifle clad white frontiersman sending away the Indian, whose shield and peace pipe are mere impedimenta".
That's an interesing take. I always thought of it as a more peaceful depiction. I guess I'm too white.

cosmicdebris · October 28, 2005 9:06AM

Connecticut & Oregon

oldcameoproofsguy · October 28, 2005 9:12AM

I have always liked the Isabella. I also really like the Texas commem as well.

dizzyfoxx · October 28, 2005 9:21AM

<< Here's a super nice Missouri 2x4. LINK >>

On hold!

FatMan · October 28, 2005 11:22AM

Too many to choose an outright best. But let me do a shout out for the Lexington-Concord since it is one of the best and is getting little attention here.

Gator5220 · October 28, 2005 11:25AM

I really like the Texas commem. So much so that I am seriously considering purchasing one, and I'm not even a collector of commems. The reverse is just beautiful.

dan1ecu · October 28, 2005 11:30AM

The Bay Bridge is a beautiful commemorative. I like the Elgin, too.

Dan

Artist · October 28, 2005 11:30AM

No one has mentioned Long Island - a great, stylized design: double portraits on the obverse, nice ship on the reverse.

grayroads · October 28, 2005 11:50AM

The debate on "best" design could be endless. While individual opinion have merit, you might be interested in reading what a scholar has to say on the topic. Consult: "Numismatic Art in America, Aesthetics of the United States Coinage" by Cornelius Clarkson Vermeule, Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press, 1971. His presentation is well documented.

RegistryCoin · October 28, 2005 12:07PM

There are some beautiful designs in the classic commem series, but the Oregon captures the best of the best. The Bay Bridge is an awesome coin. These are distinctive. Of the typical design, I like the Grant rev. especially, as well as many others for one side or the other.
ps. The Oregon State Flag is also quite distinctive, as it is one of the only with a design on both sides.

pharmer · October 28, 2005 12:13PM

New Rochelle. A man and his calf. Sorta says it all.

Seriously, I've always been partial to the ones with ships. Columbian, Pilgrim, Huguenot, Delaware are my favs. I'm like Lee, I like the complexity of the Norfolk. I hope to find even a mildly toned Hudson some day, possibly my favorite of all. Oh, Grant's nice.

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Numismanic · October 28, 2005 12:39PM

<< Umm.... it's a 2x4. Speaking of the Missouri, I was reading Walter Breens descrition of the coin. He wrote " the reverse depicts a rifle clad white frontiersman sending away the Indian, whose shield and peace pipe are mere impedimenta".
That's an interesing take. I always thought of it as a more peaceful depiction. I guess I'm too white. >>

Ooops.

michael · October 28, 2005 3:48PM

oregon and texas

also honorable mention to the isabella quarter and also the only quarter in the early commem series and the only official circulation release usa coin with a foreign head of state woman on it or any specific woman

Which is the BEST design of the early commems?

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