The New United States Dollar Coin

A new circulating U.S. Dollar coin has been signed into law by President Clinton. It's up to Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin to make the final decision as to which design will be employed. The Secretary created the Dollar Coin Design Advisory Committee to make recommendations. The overall concepts that were ultimately made to Secretary Rubin were that the coin should "bear a design of Liberty represented by a Native American woman, inspired by Sacajawea and other Native American women." This motion passed on June 9, 1998 with 6-pro, 1-con, and 1-abstention. Committee members voted unanimously to include the word "Peace" on the dollar coin. Kenneth Bressett, Past President of the American Numismatic Association, has been working for the past few years to encourage all world mints to produce a circulating coin with a peace theme in the year 2000. The Peace 2000 Initiative was the original impetus behind the making of the dollar patterns. Whether participating in the Olympic games, or producing coins with a global theme, a world working in unison toward a common goal is one step toward real world peace. Update: As Secretary Rubin has now approved the committee recommendations, Ron designed this Sacajewea token for the Portland ANA show.

Ron Landis, our resident chief engraver, made various dollar prototypes, including the 'Peace' theme reverse design you see here, as well as the obverse designs shown below. His preliminary obverse designs feature a return to the classical approach. The lady liberty in the middle below, has proven to be a favorite design among coin collectors, the artist and many others, but the general public favored the Statue of Liberty design which was made originally in order to show to members of congress. This design theme was thought by many to have a much better chance of gaining approval than the Classic Liberty. Not everyone can appreciate the allegorical representation of Miss Liberty depicted in this artistic style, but nearly everyone in the world recognizes the Statue of Liberty.

First Lady Liberty Designed in 1995	Classic Lady Liberty Dated 1998 and 2000	Modern Statue of Liberty Dated 2000
Media Issue (11 rays) Regular thickness planchet.	Congressional Issue (13 rays) Regular thickness planchet.	Piedfort Issue (13 rays) Double-thick planchet.

It is a true privilege to be involved in the new dollar coin program. Everyone has had to make compromises, sacrifices and concessions to other worthy ideas different from their own. We feel that the advisory committee has made the a good decision based on the overall scope of their goal and the recommendations submitted. We would like to thank all of you who have helped in this worthy goal.

Testimony for the Dollar Coin Advisory Committee
Ron Landis, Gallery Mint Museum
June 8, 1998 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I would like to start by going over the original intentions of our founding fathers when it comes to the subject of coin design. In reviewing the course of events that took place during the passage of the Mint Act of 1792, it seems clear that at the time there was a very distinct intention to keep the heads of state, and other depictions of real persons off U.S. coins. It is well known that George Washington was vehemently opposed to this practice, and Thomas Jefferson reinforced this concept when he specifically banned the use of his own likeness on coins as one of his first official acts as President.

Section 10 of the Mint Act of 1792 concerning the obverse design specifically calls for an "impression emblematic of Liberty". And although the wording has never been changed, the modern interpretation of this requirement has resulted in a practice contradictory to the original intention of the rule.

The debate that is taking place in this room today closely parallels the congressional debates of 1792. One side is arguing for a Liberty theme, while the other side is insisting upon a coin that will commemorate an historic person. Perhaps someday this rule can be clarified or amended to make the distinction between what is a regular issue coin and what is a commemorative coin, and to make special allowances with term limits on circulating coins that depict real persons. Until then, I urge this committee to recognize the pitfalls associated with depicting presidents or other real persons when selecting a design concept. Like most of George Washington's ideas, this one is still valid to this day.

All legal requirements and patriotic rhetoric aside, U.S. coins with Liberty themes are simply the most beautiful and inspirational designs ever produced in this country, offering designers the freedon to create truly artistic coins that will inspire pride in our great nation. Now is the perfect opportunity to return to these concepts which are so much a part of our national heritage.

Whether it be a simple Liberty profile such as my proposed design, or an expressive figure of Miss Liberty, or an arrangement of the familiar Statue of Liberty, these are all good choices when it comes to the issue of public acceptance. There is no single design that will enjoy 100% public approval, but the best approach is to appeal to the most people, and offend the least. It's a simple fact that the majority of Americans will immediately recognize and appreciate the Statue of Liberty for what she represents above all the other concepts being discussed, and is clearly the safest choice.

However, I would urge the committee examine the possibilities of a new Miss Liberty, a new impression designed especially for this coin of the new millennium. The talented engravers of the Mint could design exciting new Liberty coins that may be better suited to the restrictions of the minting process, and the limitations of the small, circular format. Whatever concept is chosen, I would also suggest the committee consider inviting outside artists to submit designs for the purpose of providing a wide variety of style for consideration, with the goal of selecting the most attractive and relevant image our nation's top designers have to offer.

In the past year, I have received numerous letters and phone calls from people on this issue, and have closely followed the trends of public opinion in the numismatic press from week to week. Among coin collectors and the general public alike, there seems to be high degree of frustration when it comes to the politics of coin design, and a general desire for a back-to-basics approach, not only on the dollar coin, but other denominations as well.

The concept of Liberty transcends the shortcomings of the individual. Lady Liberty transcends the politics of special interest. She is neutral in color and non-partisan. She represents the one, indispensable ideal we all hold common. And she has been denied her rightful place on U.S. coins for much too long.

Just as it is important to illustrate the common ideals of this nation, at this milestone in history, it is also important to reflect the ideals of the world. By incorporating a peace theme to the reverse of this coin, the United States can be a leader in the Peace 2000 program that promotes world peace by including this theme on circulating coins of participating nations during the turn of the millennium. It costs no extra to spread a simple word of peace a billion fold. I humbly ask the committee to consider my proposed peace design or similar Peace concept for the reverse side of the new coin.

In closing, I would urge the committee to consider the issues of public appreciation above the politics of special interest. The very concept of Liberty allows us to choose to have beautiful coins that can also serve as ambassadors of peace throughout the world. A very fitting way to mark the new millennium, and to inspire hope for the coming age.

Here's to the successful circulation of our new dollar coin!