Community Voice Responses (05/21/13)

From the April 26th Numismatic e-newsletter: Is the CCAC suggestion to put Miss Liberty back on some circulating coinage a good one? Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers to Editor Dave Harper.

I think it would be intriguing to see Liberty return to some coinage, even something close to, but not the same as, some of the original, classic designs, but only as alongside running designs. Today’s designs just don’t have the same appeal to me.
Another thing I would do away with is all of these short run, one-year varying designs. Not sure if the Mint is trying to create more interest and revenue by changing designs so often, but to me it’s a bit annoying, and has driven me away from collecting some series, for example, state quarters, then the territories, then state parks.
Bring out some new, solid designs, market them well, and keep it simple to help encourage more people to enter the hobby.
Mark Speltz
Monticello, Iowa

I like the idea of Miss Liberty permanently returning to our circulating coins and would love to see the presidents retired.
Political reality will not allow that to happen so the alternative idea of a one year type for each denomination is a good one. However, enabling legislation must include a mandate to the Fed that they must order enough coins so everybody can get some. That clause was left out of the America’s Beautiful National Parks bill with the result that hardly any are seen in circulation. We certainly do not want that to happen with these one-shot coins.
Bob Fritsch
Nashua, N.H.

Yes, I think it would be very nice if the U.S. Mint started using Liberty on coins again. The Walking Liberty half and Morgan and Peace dollars are all very beautiful designs. The Saint-Gaudens $20 gold piece also comes to mind. There are many beautiful designs to chose from or we can redesign similar ones.
J.E. Smith Sr.
New Tampa, Fla.

I like the idea. Early coinage had a lot of symbolism that spoke of Liberty and freedom. In a day and age where a camera is on every light pole, mayors telling us what we can eat or drink, and a loss of 4th Amendment rights in the wake of the dood-to-door searches in the Boston area, we need a reminder that we were founded on the idea of freedom. Even as we are slowing losing those rights, at least it would remind me that I was once a free man in America.
Now I have to finish sewing my Phrygian cap before those to are outlawed.
Mike Budzynski
Address withheld

I vote no to putting Miss Liberty back on U.S. circulating coins for two reasons. First, is there so little creativity left in the United States that we can’t design something just as meaningful and artistic, or must we continue to use old designs?
Secondly, is it really appropriate to put a symbol of Liberty on our coinage? In the past decade, the American people have lost a good portion of their liberties and freedoms due to far left leaders forcing laws through congress which are either unconstitutional or go against the will of the majority of the people in order to kowtow to special interest or minority groups.
To continue to pretend that we still have the same liberties and freedoms, as our founders intended, by putting symbols of Liberty on our circulating coinage, is laughable.
Charles Landess
Address withheld