Army Comm half and Bicentennial quarter - designs too similar?

LanLord · December 17, 2011 1:18AM

When I see the US Army half dollar reverse it harkens back to the Bicentennial quarter reverse design.

1976 quarter

2011 Army comm half dollar

Now granted, one shows a drummer, while the other shows a soldier with a rifle; one faces left, one faces right. However, when I first look at them, my brain cell thinks they are the same coin.

I guess design recycling was at work here.

edix2001 · December 17, 2011 1:31AM

I felt the same way when I saw it. The Army half dollar was designed by Thomas Cleveland of Cypress, Texas. Coincidently, he gave an educational presentation to our club last Thursday night at our annual holiday party. I didn't get a chance to ask him about the simililarites with the bicentennial design, but he did mention how he had someone get in costume for a photograph to base the design on. He was only able to pick up some sort of generic tri-corner hat, which turned out to be oversized for the model and didn't look good at first.

comma · December 17, 2011 1:38AM

I'm just not feeling any recent modern compositions...all so bland to me....
(and I think the quarter and the half definitely look almost exactly the same)

AngryTurtle · December 17, 2011 2:46AM

The bicentennial quarter is one of my all time favorites. This is the first I have seen of the Army, its nice, and yes looks similar. If I was in charge, I would permanently bring back the Bicentennial quarter as an obverse design. perhaps even replacing George!

It would be the start of the return to depictions of liberty on coins, rather than dead old white guys.

edix2001 · December 17, 2011 3:36AM

Mint designer Thomas Cleveland also told us last Thursday that the Native American chief on the reverse of next year's Native American dollar was inspired by the Indian $5 & $2.50 gold piece designs, but his is not incuse like they were.

jmski52 · December 17, 2011 5:55AM

I think that the Army half design is well-done. I like it.

53BKid · December 17, 2011 5:58AM

Similar in a number of ways: same hat, similar posture.

I like both though.

FaberCastell · December 17, 2011 9:50AM

<< <i>Similar in a number of ways: same hat, similar posture.

I like both though. >>

Which is the main reason why when collectors do like a new design, it's because it reminds them of an old, familiar design.

Personally, I find a lot of the older designs from the 19th century pretty weak.

ambro51 · December 17, 2011 1:20PM

Same basic war. BTW the bicentennial quarter reverse is one of the finest designs of the second half of the 20th century and hopefully will someday again grace the quarter dollar.

ricko · December 18, 2011 12:23AM

I see the similarity, although, if not pointed out, I do not think I would have associated the two... Cheers, RickO

UNCOnly · December 18, 2011 1:54AM

<< <i>
I guess design recycling was at work here. >>

Something is at work, but I don't think it's design recycling.

tahoe98 · December 18, 2011 5:43AM

<< <i>When I see the US Army half dollar reverse it harkens back to the Bicentennial quarter reverse design.

1976 quarter

2011 Army comm half dollar

Now granted, one shows a drummer, while the other shows a soldier with a rifle; one faces left, one faces right. However, when I first look at them, my brain cell thinks they are the same coin.

I guess design recycling was at work here. >>

...ditto here too.

tahoe98 · December 18, 2011 5:50AM

...makes me think of the president and how he wants to draw a correlation between teddy roosevelt and himself. too bad he doesn't re-design the coinage like ted did by making beautiful designs across the board.

JamesMurray · December 18, 2011 6:06AM

The only similarity i see is the hat , the drummer is in shirtsleeves and the rifleman has a coat , the stars are presented very different in both as well. It does put me in mind of the quarter but they don't actually look the same.
I still think the "chief" on the $1 looks feminine , not a patch on the old design.

Army Comm half and Bicentennial quarter - designs too similar?

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