Letter
Dear Mr. Ryder:
In its public meeting of 17 June conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed alternative designs for a three-coin set commemorating baseball’s Negro Leagues. The Commission appreciated the opportunity to consider the advice of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Mint’s liaison for this program, while largely differing in its conclusions; the recommendations are as follows:
Five-Dollar Gold Coin: The Commission members recommended alternative NLB-G-O-09A for the obverse and NLB-G-R-04 for the reverse, with the request that the typefaces be coordinated for this pairing. They commented that the inclusion of league organizer Rube Foster’s portrait and signature on the recommended obverse would make the coin more meaningful, and they agreed that tipping one’s cap as depicted on the recommended reverse is an important gesture for the players.
One-Dollar Silver Coin: Consistent with the preferences of the Mint’s liaison, the Commission members recommended alternative NLB-S-O-02 for the obverse; for the reverse, they recommended NLB-S-O-09, which was presented as an obverse design. They commented on the superior artwork of the recommended obverse; in coordinating the inscriptions for this pairing, they noted that the required inscription “E Pluribus Unum” on the reverse would be appropriate adjacent to the group of players that includes a woman.
Half-Dollar Clad Coin: For the obverse, the Commission members recommended alternative NLB-S-R-06, presented as a reverse design for
the silver coin; they praised the dramatic depiction of the pitcher and the foreground baseball, with its shape conveyed by the stitching. They acknowledged that some adaptation may be needed to use this design for the coin’s obverse. For the reverse, they recommended alternative NLB-C-R-02, revised to include the insignia of the original eight teams that formed the league in 1920.
As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
David Ryder, Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20220