Letter
Dear Ms. Gibson:
In its public meeting of 17 October conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed alternative designs for several circulating coins to be issued in 2026 in conjunction with the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebration. The Commission was pleased to consider the advice of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and provided the following comments and recommendations.
Dime (Liberty Over Tyranny theme). The Commission members recommended
obverse #O-1A and reverse #R-3, describing these designs as individually strong and a good pairing. For the recommended obverse, they suggested study of reversing the profile portrait to face rightward, provided that this change does not create an overlap with the “L” in the inscription “Liberty.” They commended the simplicity of reverse #3 for the small scale of the dime.
Quarter #1 (Declaration of Independence theme). Consistent with the CCAC’s
preferences, the Commission members recommended obverse #O-2 and reverse
#R-8. They commented that these designs are elegant and work well in
combination, and they expressed appreciation for the artistic range of presented alternatives.
Quarter #2 (U.S. Constitution theme). The Commission members recommended
obverse #O-2 and reverse #R-11. While agreeing with the CCAC’s preference
for the obverse, they did not support the CCAC’s preference for reverse #R-9, commenting that the detail of the chair used by George Washington at the
Constitutional Convention would be too unrecognizable for the public’s
comprehension and would imply excessive emphasis on specific individuals
rather than on the broader significance of the Constitution’s creation. They
concluded that reverse #R-11 is best for its emphasis on the inscription “We the People” and its compatibility with obverse #O-2.
Quarter #3 (Abolitionism theme). The Commission members recommended
obverse #O-1 and reverse #R-2A. For the obverse, they commented that the
portrait of Frederick Douglass conveys his strength as a symbol of the abolition movement, and they recommended removing the circular line surrounding the portrait. For the reverse, they cited the more abstract symbolism and less gendered hands in alternative #R-2A, and they did not object to adjusting the inscription “Abolitionism” to “Abolition” as suggested by the Mint’s other reviewers. If the CCAC’s preference for reverse #R-01 is pursued, they
recommended removing the vertical line at the center of the composition.
Quarter #4 (Suffrage theme). The Commission members recommended obverse
#O-1B and reverse #R-1 as a simple and evocative pairing that avoids the
duplication of the phrase “Votes for Women” in the CCAC’s preferred pairing.
In their agreement with the CCAC’s preference for obverse #O-1B, they
suggested using the treatment of #O-1 and #O-1A for the positioning of the text “E Pluribus Unum” and “1776–2026.” For the reverse, they suggested removing the small interpuncts framing the word “Equality” toward the top of the composition. They agreed with the Mint’s subject-matter experts in not
supporting the CCAC’s preference for the rosette motif in reverse #R-4.
Quarter #5 (Civil Rights theme). The Commission members recommended
obverse #O-1 and reverse #R-2A as a simple and strong pairing. They observed
that the CCAC’s preference for reverse #R-2 would result in the awkward use of anonymized portraits within a well-known historical scene. They instead
supported the cropped composition of reverse #R-2A, requesting an adjustment
to emphasize the interlocked arms by including more than three people, and
perhaps by reducing the height of this central panel if necessary. For the
inscription “We Shall Overcome,” they recommended using the simpler block
lettering historically associated with the protest signs and banners of the Civil Rights movement; the fonts of the remaining inscriptions should be coordinated between the obverse and reverse.
Half Dollar (Participatory Democracy theme). Consistent with the CCAC’s
preferences, the Commission members recommended obverse #O-5 and reverse
#R-5A, a pairing that features different elements from the Statue of Liberty. For the obverse, they suggested further study of the best position for the text “1776–2026” to avoid aligning it with the Statue of Liberty’s eyes, along with adjustment of the points of the crown as necessary.
The Commission members acknowledged the importance of this program as a wide-ranging temporary redesign of the nation’s circulating coinage, and they expressed appreciation for the earlier opportunity to comment on this program at an initial stage.
As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Ventris C. Gibson, Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20220