Recommendation
Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes: Obverse #1; the size of the central design elements should be reduced to avoid crowding the peripheral text. Reverse #4, with two modifications: the size of the central map should be reduced so that it does not intersect other design elements; and the eagle staffs should be adjusted to avoid reaching the edge of the medal.
Cherokee Nation: Obverse #5 as the strongest graphic design. Reverse #1 as the best composition. The design benefits from the hierarchical variation of text size along the periphery; some of the other alternatives simply use equally sized text.
Ho–Chunk Nation: Obverse #7 as the strongest graphic design and best rendering. Reverse #1 as the most legible design; the eagle’s wing should be adjusted to avoid overlapping with the peripheral text "World War II."
Meskwaki Nation: Obverse #2; the central design elements should be adjusted to avoid overlapping the peripheral text. Alternative #4 is also noteworthy but too complex for the medal design. Reverse #2 due to the simple border treatment, with the peripheral text configured as in alternative #3, or else the feathers should be reconfigured so they do not overlap the text.
Oglala Sioux Tribe: Obverse #2 as the most graphically convincing design, with simplification of the background to avoid confusion of the branches with the radio equipment. Reverse #3, as preferred by the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Seminole Nation: Obverse #3 due to the clear composition and the detailing of the pose and chin; alternative #4 is also a strong candidate. Reverse #1 as the simplest design.
Yankton Sioux Tribe: Obverse #2 as the most interesting composition. Reverse #1 due to the superior depiction of the animal skull.
Letter
Dear Mr. Peterson:
In its meeting of 20 June, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the design submission for seven Congressional Gold Medals in the series honoring the service of Native American code talkers, and adopted the following recommendations on the Consent Calendar:
Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes:
Obverse #1; the size of the central design elements should be reduced to avoid crowding the peripheral text.
Reverse #4, with two modifications: the size of the central map should be reduced so that it does not intersect other design elements; and the eagle staffs should be adjusted to avoid reaching the edge of the medal.
Cherokee Nation:
Obverse #5 as the strongest graphic design.
Reverse #1 as the best composition. The design benefits from the hierarchical variation of text size along the periphery; some of the other alternatives simply use equally sized text.
Ho–Chunk Nation:
Obverse #7 as the strongest graphic design and best rendering.
Reverse #1 as the most legible design; the eagle’s wing should be adjusted to avoid overlapping the peripheral text “World War II.”
Meskwaki Nation:
Obverse #2; the central design elements should be adjusted to avoid overlapping the peripheral text. Alternative #4 is also noteworthy but too complex for the medal design.
Reverse #2 due to the simple border treatment, with the peripheral text configured as in alternative #3, or else the feathers should be reconfigured so they do not overlap the text.
Oglala Sioux Tribe:
Obverse #2 as the most graphically convincing design, with simplification of the background to avoid confusion of the branches with the radio equipment.
Reverse #3, as preferred by the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Seminole Nation:
Obverse #3 due to the clear composition and the detailing of the pose and chin; alternative #4 is also a strong candidate.
Reverse #1 as the simplest design.
Yankton Sioux Tribe:
Obverse #2 as the most interesting composition.
Reverse #1 due to the superior depiction of the animal skull.
As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Richard Peterson, Acting Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20220