Results: Best 2010 US Mint Coin Design So Far
A little over a week ago, I created a poll where Mint News Blog readers could vote on what they believe is the best US Mint coin design for the year so far.
A total of 725 votes were cast across the eleven different coins issued during 2010, which featured a new design on at least one side of the coin. Two coins received more than 50% of the total votes, signaling two strong favorites. The third highest number of votes were cast for a medal honoring the Women Airforce Service Pilots. In the end, the 2010 Native American Dollar edged out the 2010 Lincoln Cent by a margin of 21 votes.
The complete results of the poll are listed below:
| Votes | Percentage | |
| 2010 Native American Dollar | 196 | 27.03% |
| 2010 Lincoln Cent | 175 | 24.14% |
| Women Airforce Service Pilots Medal | 103 | 14.21% |
| 2010 Yellowstone Quarter | 86 | 11.86% |
| 2010 Boy Scouts Silver Dollar | 54 | 7.45% |
| 2010 Disabled Veterans Silver Dollar | 35 | 4.83% |
| 2010 Abigail Fillmore First Spouse Gold | 32 | 4.41% |
| 2010 Hot Springs Quarter | 24 | 3.31% |
| 2010 Jane Pierce First Spouse Gold | 10 | 1.38% |
| 2010 Franklin Pierce Dollar | 6 | 0.83% |
| 2010 Millard Fillmore Dollar | 4 | 0.55% |
The 2010 Native American Dollar features the second reverse design for the series honoring the accomplishments and contributions of Native Americans. The theme was "Government - The Great Tree of Peace". The well balanced reverse features a depiction of a Hiawatha Belt encircling a bundle of five arrows. These images are symbolic of the Haudenosaunee or Iroquois Confederacy. Five figures on the belt represent the five original nations with the central symbol also a representing the Great White Pine. The bundle of arrows symbolizes the strength in unity of the Iroquois Confederacy.When candidate designs for the coin were originally presented to the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, this design was the strong favorite of both. Other design candidates were varied depictions of a white pine tree topped by an eagle.
The Hiawatha Belt design has been included in the CCAC's recently compiled image reference guide of design excellence.
The 2010 Lincoln Cent features a new reverse design intended to represent Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single and united country. This concept is represented with a depiction of the Union Shield. The thirteen vertical stripes represent the original thirteen states joined together in support of the federal government, represented by the horizontal bar above. This symbol dates back to the 1780's and was used widely during the Civil War era.On an overall basis, opinions expressed for this design were more divided. Based on comments received on previous Mint News Blog posts and Coin Review, people seem to either love the design or hate it. Supporters cite the clean and classic depiction of an historical symbol. Dissenters call the design too simple or mention that they would have have preferred a more contemporary or widely recognized symbol.
The CFA and CCAC were also split on this design. The CFA initially supported a design depicting a bundle of wheat stalks, but after this design was removed from consideration, they switched to a modernistic depiction of a 34 star flag. The CCAC supported the depiction of the Union Shield, although there was apparently some dissent within the group. The CCAC Chairman recently stated that he liked the design, while member Donald Scarinci, who is on the newly formed Subcommittee for Coin Design Excellence, said the design makes him "want to vomit." Initially, there were 18 different design candidates for the 2010 Lincoln Cent reverse.
As mentioned, I will likely revisit this topic with another poll to vote on the coin designs released in the second half. This will include the still undecided (or unannounced) design for the 2010 Proof Platinum Eagle, which will depict the principle "To Establish Justice" and the Lincoln Presidential Dollar, among others.
Labels: Coin Designs
posted by Mint News Blog @ 12:18 PM
39 Comments:
I had picked the Sacagawea $. The cent is also very nice. I a bit surprised considering the sell out of the Boy Scouts Commem $ that its ranking is so low.
What a bunch of pathetic designs. Hope the silver ASE comes through!
Isn't it amazing that a ball park coin and a thinly layered clad coin took the two winning spots. That says a lot for the US Mint doesn't it.
The Gene Wilder and Alec Baldwin come in last... not surprised.
I like the penny design. I think it looks a heck of a lot better than the old Lincoln Memorial - it's definitely a step up.
No comment.
Second the vote for wanting '10 Silver ASE and my vote for "all of the above" in "Pathetic Designs" for '10 so far!
BoyScout/GirlScout coin=total joke and insult to 100 yr. commemorative.
I have to say in my mind it isn't even close. Artistically The Sac is heads and tails above the rest. The banner on the penny still bugs me. The Boy Scout coin obverse is well executed, aesthetically pleasing, balanced--and a historically representative embarrassment. Who says stupid can't look good?
Flash: I just paid way too much for my unc and proof mint sets. I've had a subscription for years and now need to cut down or cancel. Too bad, I really wanted to collect for all my kids. Over $30/set for clad with not great designs and more money and less coins than last yeaer! I think Uncle Sam seems insensitive about the times we are living in. Where else do you see price increases for less stuff?
The US Mint has to be well aware of the lack luster 2010 offerings.They also have to be aware of the fact that over inflated costs are driving demand down. The public demand is down for all these reasons.Moy should be fired immediately for allowing this to happen. Our government officials who have mostly been behind creating this nightmare should also be voted out of office in the up coming mid term elections. It is time for greed,lies and deception to be dealt with by the people. TPGs and their advertisers should also be boycotted for causing over inflated prices which have caused many collectors to lose their hard earned money.
September 11 Commemorative Medal Act Passes House and Senate
Exploiting this for profit is completely wrong. Others who have been doing this ever since 911 have been looked at as capitalizing on a sensitive situation to make a profit. Who ever passed this should be voted out of office IMHO. Is there no limit to the exploitations the US politicians will take to fatten their political wallets?
I think that the pricing of the US Mint's collectible options says less about their greed or insensitivity and more about their inefficiency as a government agency doing a smaller job than it was originally set up to do. We are approaching a cashless society and one day in the not too distant future we may see them completely shut down a mint or two with no effect on commerce as it is conducted today. They could do that now realistically. Transactional coinage demand is way down as everyone here knows. Then imagine the future value of today's "overpriced" sets...
Jim L.
With the price increases and general lack of quality designs I recently canceled all my subscriptions, and I had 'em all just about. I now only selectively purchase issues I feel are worthy of consideration. So far this year: no purchases.
Nothing purchased this year either. Would like to get a buffalo. Out of reach now and most likely will stay out of reach. If the ASE proof gets released that would be considered but I am disappointed in the mint and the legislated coins they have to churn out. Most of it available to the average collector is crap. I had hopes for the silver proof set but so far I don't read many gushing over proof set quality.
Please explain how a 14 coin clad set costs $31.95 (plus shipping) from the USMint? The 2000 SILVER proof set (after ten years from issue) can be purchased for less than that! What kind of moron thinks the '10 proof or mint set will hold it's value?
There are folks like me that have never flipped/sold any coin in my 30+ years of collecting, but I refuse to continue with my collection knowing the annual sets are overpriced and likely to lose significant value! Thanks Mr. Moy!
The blog said about the Sac dollar that the 2010 is the, "second reverse design for the series". Wouldn't this be the third? The original ran from 2000-2008 (eagle), second in 2009 (sisters), and now the third in 2010 (arrows), right?
I was considering it the second design of the "Native American $1 Coin Program" starting 2009.
I guess the mint figures they're doing you a favor and sees value in offering less butt ugly coins. I swear just about every design is ugly. There's always a dag gum president on the coins. Ugly ugly royalist like coinage. No thanks.
How about coins with less royalist like features on them? Seriously, a president on just about every dang coin. Bad enough we have an entire series on glorifying them all. It needs a rest.
Michael,
Any official word about the large price increases for the mint sets (proof and unc.) during the past few years? I agree that it has gotten rediculous. There are less coins and less "special" coins (no copper pennies) this year, and the price increases? I haven't noticed an upward tick in "common date" aftermarket pricing for mint sets from the beginning of the "clad era", 1965 onward. Have you noticed if old sets are keeping up with the price increases seen in the new sets?
Any predictions? Could the mint be going the way of the post office, charging more and more and having less interest in the services?
Any of your "expert" thoughts on this sure would be appreciated by all!
I happen to be a fan of most of the dead presidents on our coinage, especially Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.
I really think the public would love to see Reagan on a coin.
If the mint wants to be PC, a Reagan coin would make sense. Currently we have two 20th century Democrat presidents on our coinage and no Republicans.
What gives with the over $30/mint set? My '10 mint sets arrived in the mail looking unimpressive. My presidential dollars appear to have some small nicks in them and since the mint marks are in the edge, the whole "D" and "P" thing kinda gets lost in the packaging. I'm thinking of returning them Monday!
Putting Reagan or anymore presidents on our coins makes absolutely NO SENSE. It is an absolute disgrace to the United States of America.
The intention of the US Constitution makes it clear that no position was supposed to be seen higher than another. The Presidency is clearly glorified throughout modern coinage. This royalist set of dollars has to be the biggest piece of dirt ever produced. I'm not gonna blame the mint either, as it is the royalists who work in Congress that have forced production of such royalist trinkets.
I thought last years price increase for the yearly mint sets were justified due to the copper pennies, now we get less for more, I guess there is a sucker born every minute. Wait a few years and buy the sets for less dudes!
I'm ambivalent about Reagan but how about Teddy Roosevelt on a new $2 copper coin?
Hey Mr. Anti-presidents on coinage, are you a communist?
Nothing wrong with presidents on coinage. This is not a monarchy, royalist country... we elect our presidents. I like the idea of Reagan! I do not like the current prices of the mint sets and will not buy them (now, from the Mint).
@ July 26, 2010 4:42 AM
Yes, I'm clearly a communist since I just referenced the US Constitution and told you why glorifying presidents are wrong. Good job sir, you really put too much effort into your thinking there! What I'd really like to know is if you even know what communism is? Because most fools who have no other outs but to slap people with that label don't even know what it is! Perhaps you enjoy living in a monarchy then, I don't know. Certainly the powers are being abused present day in the United States (even beyond the Presidency may I add), so I suppose it's fitting that presidents are on our coins. When the election of the presidency becomes similar to that of some popularity/American Idol show, I believe it’s a sign of the times we live in. Let’s face it, the two parties plop two individuals with their capital power (which buys the censorship of others) so the cattle can “choose” between the two. How dare I care so much about the downfall of this nation? I suppose next you'll be calling me a terrorist too then?
I'm selling all my coins and getting out of coin collecting. this is no longer fun or affordable. Look for great deals coming your way soon at FEEBAY.
"Government - The Great Tree of Peace". How could they be more wrong? Governments are the only entities that engage in war.
Hey defensive communist/ anit-US guy (or woman)...you don't seem to like our system. You probably loved the boy scout/ girl scout revisionist commemorative.
Lincoln has been gracing our penny for over 100 years. Do you have a problem with that?
I have no problem with the Sac. dollar, but the ol' Ike dollar was nice too. Ike was a president, but I think he was on the dollar, more for his role as a military hero.
Why don't you move to an "artist compound" and trade with wallnuts and chickens (vege) while the rest of us proud Americans use our coinage (and paper money) with our deceased ELECTED leaders on them, Democrats, Republicans, and Whigs!
I think the kind of people who collect coins any more are just plain wack jobs. Seems no one here likes to get along. What ever happened to good will toward fellow man. Everyone has an opinion.Those opinions can be challenged with intelligent debate. But to put down each other gets no where with an opinion you may have. It only makes your opinion look less persuasive.
Didn't Ben Franklin want to make the National Bird a turkey?
Why not make a turkey coin?
Your friend in low places...
New Pilgrims
The mint needs to get back to the basics again. There are just too many new designs in our circulating coinage. It's crazy, out of control, and lacks order. Too much variety. Too much clutter. Too much noise. Too little significance.
The Mint needs to do what Teddy Roosevelt did over 100 years ago: Re-think all the modern circulating coin designs, keeping only the following:
1) Go back to the original Sacegawea dollar design (2000-2008) with the flying eagle on the reverse, and no unreadable edge writing. This was the best circulating coin design since the walking liberty half.
2) Keep the America the Beautiful quarter program, but re-design the Washington obverse (see below).
Put Miss Liberty on all the coins again. Washington never wanted his portrait on a US mint coin. The founding fathers wanted lady liberty on all the coins and we should go back to that. It not only makes for prettier coins (lady liberty beats all the former presidents hands down in that way), but it also prevents political disagreement over who should and shouldn't be put on the coin. Terminate the presidential dollars with this year's Lincoln coin. They are really ugly coins, the ugliest US coins since the Eisenhower and Susan B Anthony dollar coins. Especially, retire the Kennedy half and Roosevelt dime designs. These have had more than their fair circulation time and it's time to retire all these tired old ugly coin designs. That will revive collector interest alot more than a proliferation of ugly coins designs. At the very least, re-think all the designs with new portraits similar to what was done with the nickel (they should have kept that cool buffalo reverse from the Lewis and Clark series). Retire the penny and round everything up to the nearest nickel.
July 26, 2010 3:03 PM
I mostly agree. I do like the 2010 Sacagawea reverse however. Have been going around to banks asking for them and am being offered the 2000 and 2001's after taking five minutes to explain to the tellers what a Native American or Sac dollar is. Just want a roll or two but can't see laying out $250.00 for a mint box.
Jim L.
Jim,
You would have nothing to lose in buying a direct ship box of 2010 Native American dollars. They are sold at face value with no shipping charge. Just keep the two rolls you want and spend the other $200 into circulation as the Mint requests. I know that the coins won't really circulate though, since the places you spend them at will simply include them in their own bank deposits. However, you will have done your part to try to help out and you will have the rolls you want.
@July 26, 2010 10:59 AM
Thanks for providing your ignorance by providing no substance and continuing to label in your post. As an American speaking to another one, I will say this, until you actually learn the concepts of our founding fathers rather than taking in what the mainstream media and co. tell you, you'll never understand how violently the rug has been pulled under the people. I'm not sure why you're so defensive about some "system" that has been oh so dearly modified unconstitionally, and on the offense calling me a communist and anti-American. However, it’s no wonder why we’re at where we are in this nation due to the debts of such blind patriotism.
It was a very un-American concept to parade government figures on coinage in early America because it was similar to that of royalist coinage, which is true. Really, I think it's better reserved for commemorative coins (which I wouldn't have a problem with). Elected, alive, dead, or whatever, presidents do not belong on circulating coinage.
As far as the 1900s and the Lincoln cent withstanding so long, the 1900s was a time when America was becoming overly political and especially corrupted vis-à-vis the monetary system. So it's no surprise to see such a tradition of Miss Liberty fall off the coins, to perfectly represent what our nation has become today.
As far as the boy scouts commemorative coin, I didn't buy one because the design is terrible (per the usual).
I love the 1 cent shield reverse. Classic, clean design.
I wish we would move away from putting Presidents on our circulating coinage and go back to using designs depicting Ms. Liberty.
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