Letter
Dear Ms. Gibson:
In its public meeting of 21 April conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed design alternatives for the five reverse designs in the American Women Quarter Dollar Coin Program for issue in 2023. The Commission provided the following recommendations and guidance for the designs:
Bessie Coleman. Consistent with the preferences provided by Ms. Coleman’s family, the Commission recommended alternative BC-R-05, commenting on the resolute pose, the superior composition emphasizing the portrait, and the reported source of the image from Ms. Coleman’s pilot’s license.
Edith Kanaka’ole. While acknowledging the preferences of Ms. Kanaka’ole’s family and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee for alternative EK-R-01, the Commission recommended alternative EK-R-01A because of its rendering of the denomination as “Quarter Dollar,” which they said is preferable to the informality of “25¢” on the similar design of EK-R-01.
Eleanor Roosevelt. Consistent with the preferences of Ms. Roosevelt’s family, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, the Commission recommended alternative ER-R-02A, citing the strength of the portrait that conveys her global importance, with the request to improve the visual hierarchy of the complex design.
Jovita Idar. Consistent with the preference of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, the Commission recommended alternative JI-R-08, citing the power and beauty of the striking design that embeds the text within the clothing pattern.
Maria Tallchief. Consistent with the preferences of Ms. Tallchief’s family, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, the Commission recommended alternative MTQ-R-04, citing the strong composition that successfully conveys the beauty of classical ballet and Ms. Tallchief, with the recommendation to remove the superfluous phrase “America’s Prima Ballerina” and to move her honorific Osage name to this position in the design.
As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Ventris C. Gibson, Deputy Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20220