thoughts on coin design

Good morning and welcome to the August 30th edition of a Top Shelf Thursday! If you perform an internet search for the most beautiful U.S. coin designs, you find top ten lists from hundreds of collectors. I’m sure if you had enough interest in perusing the hundreds of coin designs, you too could create such a list. So, this morning I thought I’d look at what I consider our most beautiful coinage. And before we jump into further musings, refill that cup and grab a seat. Jim Croce greets us this morning with his 1972 hit, Operator.

Gold is currently down -$6.40 this morning, and down -$20.00 on the month.

Silver is currently down -$0.15 at $14.75, and it’s down -0.87 for the month.

Platinum is currently down -$3 at $792, and it’s down -$38 in the last twenty-nine days..

Palladium is currently up +$6 at $962. It began the month at $919 so it’s showing the only increase.In as few words as possible… Outta here August! Don’t let the screen door hit you on the way out!

Now, onto my selections for America’s most beautiful coin. Most people I read create a countdown of the 10 best so here is mine. Drum roll please…

10. The Silver Three Cent “Trime” which was struck from 1851 until 1873 was designed by the Mint’s chief engraver, James Longacre. This coin was struck to help reduce silver hoarding during the California Gold Rush while also filling the need for a coin to pay the reduced postage rates.

9. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was designed by Adolph Weinman and struck from 1916 through 1947. This design was so well liked, that it became the Silver American Eagle U.S. Bullion in 1986 and continues today.

8. The Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold Double Eagle designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and minted from 1907 through 1933 was President Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite and most people agree. Okay, well, not me. But it is in my Top-Ten!

7. The Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar was designed by Hermon MacNeil and had one of the shortest mintages of modern era coins. This design was struck from 1916 until 1930. Fourteen short years!

6. The Flying Eagle Cent, designed by James Longacre and initially struck as a pattern coin in 1856. The design was approved and minted for only two short years – 1857 and 1858 then gave way to the Indian Cents.

5. The $3 Gold Indian Princess was also designed by James Longacre and was struck from 1854 until 1889, but wasn’t a very popular coin with only a few thousand minted annually after 1857.

4. The Indian Cent is probably the most popular one-cent coin the U.S. minted. Another one of James Longacre’s designs, this coin was struck from 1859 until 1909 when the Lincoln Centennial “penny” was minted.

3. The $10 Gold Indian Eagle designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens is in my top three of most beautiful U.S. coins. This coin was minted for circulation from 1907 through the 1933 executive order that outlawed private citizens from owning gold coins.

2. The 1934 Texas Independence Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar has a large 5-pointed star behind the eagle carrying out the Lone Star tradition. The reverse shows a winged Victory on her knee with Sam Houston and Stephen Austin on either side.

1. 1988 $5 Gold Olympic Commemorative is my first place coin as the most beautiful rendition of a crowned Lady Liberty. Unfortunately, the reverse of the coin leaves a lot to be desired.

So, what are your favorites? Which coin would you give the #1 position to?

Well, I’ll let that be it for today. Go out there and make a difference! See ya later!

*Disclaimer: Precious Metal Musings™ is written for entertainment and news purposes only and should not be used in making purchases and/or sales of precious metals.