Letter
Dear Ms. Gibson:
In its public meeting of 18 July conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts was pleased to hear an information presentation on the initial design concepts for several coins to be issued in 2026 in conjunction with the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebration, including the redesign of some coins that are in wide public circulation. The Commission provided the following comments to assist in the development of the coin designs, with consideration of advice from the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and other stakeholders.
The Commission members observed that these coin programs provide a welcome opportunity for modern interpretations of traditional coinage motifs, including the representation of Lady Liberty. In their discussion, they encouraged greater diversity in the depiction of allegorical figures as a representation of our nation’s ethnically diverse population, with a range that could be expressed across the coin programs. They observed that a more detailed portrait of an allegorical figure’s head may imply the depiction of a specific historical person in comparison with a more distant full-body portrait or abstract treatment; they also expressed support for frontal depictions of allegorical figures, whereas traditional profiles may again imply the identity of a specific person. In general, they commented that these issues may best be addressed by considering the entirety of the Semiquincentennial coin programs.
Following are the Commission’s comments on the specific coins and themes that were presented:
Dime (Liberty over Tyranny theme). The Commission members described obverse #6 as a strong design but overly complex for the small size of the dime, and they recommended general simplification of the composition. They cited the forward-looking pose as a symbolically appropriate representation of the nation looking to its future, preferable to the specificity of the profile portraits in the other alternatives. For the reverse, they expressed support for reverse #5, but they recommended consideration of the selected obverse design in order to avoid having a torch appear on both sides of the coin. As specific designs are developed, they recommended coordination of the typography on the obverse and reverse.
Quarter (Declaration of Independence theme). The Commission members observed that the larger size of the quarter allows for greater detail in the design. They encouraged development of obverse #1 and reverses #1 and #1A, commenting that Independence Hall is an appropriate design element. They also expressed support for obverse #9, agreeing with the CCAC that the liberty cap should be omitted as a symbol that is not strongly related to U.S. history. They also supported the dynamic Liberty Bell motif of reverse #6 while questioning the composition’s overlap of text with other design features. They encouraged the depiction of the act of writing, while discouraging the more static motifs of shields and columns.
Quarter (U.S. Constitution theme). The Commission members expressed support for obverse #1, citing the compelling sense of action conveyed in carving away the stone; they also commented favorably on obverse #7 for its representation of Lady Liberty as a Black woman, but they advised against the placement of text within her hair. For the reverse, they supported an emphasis on the phrase “We the People” instead of other excerpts from the Constitution. They questioned whether the depiction of an ornamented chair in reverse #2, as supported by the CCAC, would be a recognizable symbol for this circulating coin.
Half Dollar (Participatory Democracy theme). The Commission members expressed support for obverses #3 and #6 for their abstract or stylized treatments of the allegorical theme, which could provide strong opportunities for developing alternatives. They encouraged the use of the oak tree symbol depicted in reverses #2 and #3, commenting that the torch motif may be overused in the context of the wider program of Semiquincentennial coins. More broadly, they encouraged development of abstract design alternatives for consideration as the final set of design options is developed.
Platinum coin (Declaration of Independence theme). For the first coin in the “Charters of Freedom” thematic series for the non-circulating platinum proof coins, with a continuing reverse of an eagle in flight, the Commission members cited obverses #1 and #1A as the strongest compositions; however, they cited the illegibility of the inscriptions and strongly recommended repositioning them or simplifying the background.
The Commission appreciates the opportunity to provide comments at an early stage of the design process for these coin programs honoring the Semiquincentennial. Where applicable, the Commission requests the inclusion of an image of the continuing obverse or reverse designs for their consideration of the proposed new design. As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions, including the initial review of three additional circulating quarters for issue in 2026.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Ventris C. Gibson, Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20220