The United States Mint has produced a rich and varied history of coin designs over the centuries, with both circulating and commemorative issues showcasing iconic imagery and celebrating American heritage.
Here’s a summary of some key design elements and important coin series:
- Liberty: A personification of Liberty was a prominent figure on early U.S. coins for over 150 years, often depicted as a Greco-Roman goddess or with a cap and pole.
- Presidents: Beginning in the 20th century, portraits of presidents replaced Liberty on many circulating coins, starting with Abraham Lincoln on the penny in 1909. Other presidents, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Franklin Roosevelt, now grace various denominations.
- Bald Eagle: The national bird, often portrayed as a heraldic eagle resembling the Great Seal of the United States, has been a long-standing feature on the reverse of gold and silver coins, including the current Kennedy half dollar.
- “E Pluribus Unum”: The national motto, meaning “Out of Many, One,” appears on the reverse of many U.S. coins.
- “In God We Trust”: This motto has also become a standard inscription on U.S. coinage.
- 50 State Quarters Program (1999-2008): This series featured unique reverse designs honoring each of the 50 states, showcasing their individual history, symbols, and landmarks.
- America the Beautiful Quarters Program (2010-2021): Following the State Quarters, this program depicted national parks and other national sites on the reverse of quarters.
- American Women Quarters Program (2022-2025): The current circulating quarter series features influential American women and their contributions, [according to the U.S. Mint].
- American Innovation $1 Coin Program: This multi-year series features distinctive reverse designs that pay homage to America’s ingenuity and celebrate the pioneering efforts of individuals or groups from each of the 50 states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
- American Eagle Coins: These bullion and proof coins feature iconic designs like the “Walking Liberty” design on the silver American Eagle and the Statue of Liberty on the platinum version. The American Eagle Gold Coins include a design representing a family of eagles, with the male carrying an olive branch and flying above a nest containing a female eagle and hatchlings.
- American Liberty Gold Coin Program: This program explores modern interpretations of American liberty, moving beyond traditional classical portraits. The 2025 coin, for example, features a sunflower and a bee on the obverse representing the stewardship required to preserve liberty.
The U.S. Mint undertakes a detailed process for creating coin designs:
- Legislation and Authorization: Designs often begin with congressional legislation authorizing new coin programs or the Secretary of the Treasury’s authority to approve designs.
- Design Brief and Artist Submissions: A design brief guides artists who research the subject and submit design drawings to the Mint.
- Review and Revision: Designs undergo review for legal compliance, artistic merit, and “coinability” (ease of striking). Feedback is provided to artists for revisions.
- Committee Review and Final Selection: The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) review the designs and make recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury, who makes the final selection.
- Sculpting and Die Production: A Mint medallic artist sculpts the approved design, either in clay or digitally, and this sculpt is used to create the dies for striking the coins.
What symbols are on US coins?
Liberty Cap. Liberty/freedom; Cap given to freed Roman slaves.
Cap With Wings. Freedom of thought.
Wreath. Victory.
Union Shield. From the Great Seal; Represents Congress and the 13 original colonies.
Stars. States; Stars and clouds together symbolize America as a new nation.
Oak Branch. …
Olive Branch. …
Arrows.
Why is the 2005 $1 coin rare?
Struck by mistake in 2006 and issued in the 2006 proof set, the coin is rare because the official proof dollar minted in 2005 had a completely different design, thus making the 2005 proof dollar with the kangaroo design extremely rare.
What US coin is worth $19 million?
1933 double eagle – Wikipedia.