How come our coins are so glumpy now?

topstuf · December 16, 2005 6:49AM

Back in the rompin stompin WILD WEST and WARTIME and Looziana PURCHASE days, our coins were .... delicate.... designs. Classic allegorical figures and rays and mottos and swirly dates and segmented stars and just.....PRETTY.... stuff.

But now that the country is politically correct and semi-feminized, we got glumpy big HEADS and flat relief and completely uninspired mediocrity for pocket change. The last bastion was the Walking Liberty Half Dollar and after that...... blah!

Hyperion · December 16, 2005 6:58AM

dont worry, the way the country is going maybe they're take off all references to God.

BECOKA · December 16, 2005 7:01AM

Agreed, nice designs are few and far away. Another great design was the first and only attempt at the incuse quarter and half eagles. Wish that something like this would be done again on a new inspiring design. How about the old Bust coinage how, those are much more attractive than our current lineup.

I guess when a new design wins it is done on paper and it just never translates very well to new coinage. We need to see coin samples and have public voting instead of a panel deciding these designs.

ecos · December 16, 2005 7:04AM

I agree Topstuff that the vast majority of new designs just plane stink!
I would love to see some allegorical figures and/or depictions od miss Liberty.

Though, I think pointing the finger at Political correctness is just an easy way to blame. PC might have something to do with design choices, but the relief, finish, and pure artistic ability are not limited by nagging Public Interest groups or conservative/liberal whiners. I'm not quite sure how "semi-feminized" has anything to do with it, but its Friday afternoon and I am done thinking for the week.

The new Franklin halves do not seem politically correct in anyway, I think they are just ugly. Maybe the mint is putting too many design contraints on the artist, or maybe the artist is not very experiences with working in engraved metal. I would imagine there are many fewer metal engravers these days than 100 years ago.

All in all, it is probably just the mints way of making more money (no pun intended). Find a stunning artist and have them make some designs. Maybe the new 25c will be better!

eyoung429 · December 16, 2005 7:14AM

screw this PC crap....Let's see some more motto's and designs!!! We don't need no stinkin' ocean views and sure as hell don't need any first ladies on these coins.

Heck with it....let's put one of the president barfing in china or a picture of the Exxon Valdez spewing oil....or ........

topstuf · December 16, 2005 7:21AM

It could also be a segue into making it easier to "outsource" yet another assembly line to Asia. They got the dollars, might as well do the change too.

bonkrood · December 16, 2005 7:34AM

<< I agree Topstuff that the vast majority of new designs just plane stink!
I would love to see some allegorical figures and/or depictions od miss Liberty.

Though, I think pointing the finger at Political correctness is just an easy way to blame. PC might have something to do with design choices, but the relief, finish, and pure artistic ability are not limited by nagging Public Interest groups or conservative/liberal whiners. I'm not quite sure how "semi-feminized" has anything to do with it, but its Friday afternoon and I am done thinking for the week.

The new Franklin halves do not seem politically correct in anyway, I think they are just ugly. Maybe the mint is putting too many design contraints on the artist, or maybe the artist is not very experiences with working in engraved metal. I would imagine there are many fewer metal engravers these days than 100 years ago.

All in all, it is probably just the mints way of making more money (no pun intended). Find a stunning artist and have them make some designs. Maybe the new 25c will be better! >>

nwcs · December 16, 2005 8:20AM

Craftsmanship has given way to expediency. Essentially, craftsmanship is not valued in this country when it might get in the way of profit percentage, or in the mint's case, seignorage.

paigowjohnny · December 16, 2005 8:21AM

Bring back bare breasted Liberty....

Conder101 · December 16, 2005 3:27PM

<< maybe the artist is not very experiences with working in engraved metal. >>

This could be part of it. So far of all of the artists in the Mints "artists in training" program or what ever they call it, only one is trained in three dimensional artwork. All the rest speacialized in graphics arts and computer graphics. All two dimensional artwork.

Coxe · December 16, 2005 7:28PM

<< We need to see coin samples and have public voting instead of a panel deciding these designs. >>

Then we would be saddled with Kelly Clarkson quarters.

I agree, though, we need to abandon the dead presidents and bring back well-crafted personifications of Liberty and glorious eagles.

JJM · December 16, 2005 11:21PM

BRING BACK LADY LIBERTY

keets · December 16, 2005 11:37PM

But now that the country is politically correct and semi-feminized, we got glumpy big HEADS and flat relief and completely uninspired mediocrity for pocket change.

progress and the fact that there are now 270 million spenders.

Conder101 · December 17, 2005 1:46AM

<< progress and the fact that there are now 270 million spenders. >>

And the fact that a state quarter has the purchasing power that a half cent had back in 1857 when they dumped those

Sunnywood · December 17, 2005 1:49AM

why does "semi-feminized" lead to "flat relief" ??

seems to me you'd need high relief for a properly feminized design !!!

Coxe · December 17, 2005 1:50AM

<< And the fact that a state quarter has the purchasing power that a half cent had back in 1857 when they dumped those >>

Precisely the inflation argument I have made to support going to 1/10 dollar resolution, dropping th cent, nickel and quarter. We only need a dime, a smaller half dollar, dollar, $5, and $10 coins.

MikeJessie1 · December 17, 2005 2:07AM

How about redesigning the rosie to a Reagan with the White House on the reverse. or maybe a $2.00 circulated coin with Lady Liberty with a new Eagle design on the reverse. I only offer suggestions when I feel the need to suggest change (no pun intended).

nwcs · December 17, 2005 3:47AM

<< why does "semi-feminized" lead to "flat relief" ??

seems to me you'd need high relief for a properly feminized design !!! >>

Now THAT is a great retort!!!

How come our coins are so glumpy now?

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