Letter
Dear Mr. Ryder:
In its public meeting of 18 March conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed alternative reverse designs for the four non-circulating one-dollar coins of the American Innovation series to be issued in 2022. The Commission was pleased to take into consideration the preferences of the governor’s office for each state and provided the following comments and recommendations.
Rhode Island. Consistent with the preferences of the governor’s office, the Commission members recommended reverse #2, expressing enthusiasm for the dynamic composition of the yachting scene and the effective use of the coin’s circular form.
Vermont. Consistent with the preferences of the governor’s office, the Commission members recommended reverse #11, commenting that the composition of diagonals results in an emphatic sense of movement for this snowboarding theme; they suggested consideration of a serif font for the perimeter text.
Kentucky. Consistent with the preference of the governor’s office for the theme of bluegrass music, the Commission members recommended reverses #12 and #20 as effective designs that relate the form of a banjo to the coin’s circular shape. They commented that reverse #12 could be enhanced by selective polishing to convey a chrome finish on the banjo. For reverse #20, they recommended adding a fifth string for consistency with the form of a bluegrass banjo; they suggested consideration of omitting the treble clef symbol, which could provide space for additional inscriptions.
Tennessee. The Commission recommended designs for two of the three presented themes: reverse alternative #11 depicting the work of the Tennessee Valley Authority, which illustrates the farming improvements that resulted from the electricity provided by hydroelectric dams; and reverse alternative #17 depicting Sequoyah’s invention of the Cherokee language syllabary, based on a well-known historical portrait that effectively conveys his character. They also supported the inscription modifications suggested by the governor’s office and the Cherokee Nation, which may necessitate further adjustments to avoid crowding the design.
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