e-Letters: Sept. 15, 2023

What designs would you like to see on the U.S. Mint’s 2026 circulating coinage honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of America? 

National monuments or founding fathers for commemorative coins.

Eugene Munn, Address withheld

Flags of the early years of our nation.

D.A Harris, Great Falls, Mont.

Could see Lady Liberty on one side, a symbol of freedom, friendship, and hope for a brighter future for those who landed on our shores. On the reverse, a redwood tree symbolizing strength, endurance, resilience, and survival of forest fires. Similar to the many challenges the USA has overcome throughout the year. We are resilient!

In relating to the tree, America is rooted in the Constitution, and from it, we have branches of government and many groups, tribes, and individuals who feed into the whole. We are forever growing to new heights.

This would be a design I would like to see.

David Bondt, Ketchikan, Ala.

I would like to see the Mint engrave the rear of the coin with a new rendition of a bald eagle in full flight with the customary olive branch and arrows in its talons with “In God We Trust” above. On the main front, engrave things of importance that happened during that time period. Mainly figures of soldiers from the Revolutionary War, World War I and II, Korea and Vietnam, the Twin Towers, the Saturn rocket, an original computer, a doctor and nurse, and a pair of open hands. Above this, the words “United States of America” and a double date of 1776-2026 as it was on the 100th anniversary.

Roy E Robertson, Annapolis, Md.

Original Flowing Hair design and the original reverse.

Name and address withheld

Put the patriots on the obverse of the dime: Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Sam Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Paul Revere, Joseph Warren.

Change out Monticello on the nickel to Independence Hall, Betsy Ross’ house, Valley Forge, Boston’s North Church, West Point, Yorktown.

On the quarter, place famous quotes on the reverse, We hold these truths, we the people, give me liberty or give me death, sell not liberty to purchase power, these are the times that try men’s souls, I have not yet begun to fight.

On the reverse of the cent, famous battle flags, join or die, don’t tread on me, Betsy Ross, 13 stars, etc.

And finally, on the Silver Eagle, the Liberty Bell with more detail than the bell on the Franklin half.

J.L. Wallace, Colorado

“DON'T TREAD ON ME,” the Gadsden flag. As original, all capital, no apostrophe. For the yellow background, the dollar planchet.

Dom Carri, East Haddam, Conn.

My opinion on coins and medals commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America should be based on locations of great battles that we have won to progress the foundation of the USA and great leaders, military personnel, and civilian leaders who also helped to progress the movement to form and protect the growing United States of America. The coins and medals should be designed and engraved in the United States. Current and retired engravers, the best of the best. The pride of the country! God bless America!

Michael T. Malone, Address withheld

I would like to see a coin that has verbiage on the reverse that says “the strength of America is its diversity” above the American bald eagle. The obverse of the coin shows the Statue of Liberty. I think that captures the essence of the USA.

George W. James, Fall River, Mass.

Lady Liberty. It has been long enough!

Joe, Address withheld

Two-hundred and fifty years as a nation that started as the Great Experiment. There were so many men who contributed to our freedom. Of course, so few were exceptional. Here is my choice:

George Washington, general and first president

 Not to demean Washington, but for his humility, courage, and perseverance he should be placed on the 1-cent

James Monroe statesman, Founding Father, and fifth president of the U.S. and Author of the Monroe Doctrine.

 The 5-cent piece would provide a fitting portrait.

John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress. Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.

 Fitting that Hancock should be on the 10-cent piece.

Thomas Paine, English-born and American patriot by choice, wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense that called for American independence.

 The 25-cent piece is the most common denomination used today, so put Thomas Paine on the 25-cent piece.

Samuel Adams revolutionary leader. Adams was a major factor in the road to independence from tyranny.

Adams should be displayed prominently on the 50-cent piece.

Lady Liberty, our goddess of American freedom, should remain on the silver Eagle. Perhaps a portrait of Franklin and Jefferson could be added to the reverse?

There you have it. I believe that for one year, placing the Founding Fathers of our nation on circulating coinage will be a reminder of the sacrifice that these great men dedicated to our very existence.

Dom Cicio, Groveland, Fla.

America is defined by freedom. This idea was powerfully expressed in 1775 by Patrick Henry when he said, “Give me liberty or give me death!" Put that on the coin.

Tom Pesacreta, Lafayette, La.

I’d love to see new versions recreating the commemorative coins from 1926. I’d like to see the half dollar but in high relief and a $2.50 coin done not in gold but on the current dollar coin planchet and both released into circulation.

Gary Hudeck, Garrettsville, Ohio

I would like to see something that states how we “negotiated” with Native Americans to acquire the land that we now call the United States of America. Something that points out that if it wasn’t for the tribes succeeding in their land, we wouldn’t have our country. Trail of Tears is not appropriate either! Maybe reach out to different tribes and get their opinion, that would really make a statement.

Carol Brownfield, Sequim, Wash.

I would like to see some old Colonial medal designs on the 250-anniversary coins, such as early Washington, Connecticut, and New Jersey issues or issues from French masters. There was a set of pewter medals for the 1976 bicentennial that were really cool.

Jim Burdick, Grand Rapids, Mich.

I would like a design featuring the Statue of Liberty on the 2026 coin.

Trevor Pfaff, Address withheld

[I would] like to see classic designs reissued: Barber coins, Walking and Standing Liberty, Gobrecht as well.

Mark Buckley, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Woodcuts of the 13 colonies would be nice for the 250th-anniversary coin sets.

Otis Coldren, Columbus, Ohio

Why not all the Founding Fathers or signers of the Declaration of Independence?

Daniel Baier, Address withheld

1. How about the “woke” history of the early country? Quarters from each state themed with truthful accounts and events of the early republic.

2. Modern representations for circulation of the early coinage of the new republic.

Martin Tillett, Address withheld

To the people of the U.S. Mint: Pick the year 1890 and duplicate the coinage. Maybe throw in the Trade dollar or the Morgan dollar to mix it up. They were beautiful coins and deserved to be shown off again, especially in circulated coins. Our country needs to take pride in its history and craftsmanship again!

Name and address withheld

I would like to see the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, and settlers and Indians together as a group. These would be a couple of the themes for 2026 and our 250th anniversary.

David Starling, Colorado Springs, Colo.

I took the U.S. Mint poll on new coins for 2026.

I personally would like to see a silver dollar remake (exact with the exception of date) of the Bust and Flowing Hair designs. Noted on both the original gold/silver coins. For example, the 1805 gold coin has an awesome portrait of Liberty. Have one portrait facing east, the other facing west, for collectors, on a silver Eagle blank (same size).

The penny can offer the first designs in a series similar to the current quarter series (women, from the past/old-new designs, one every 3-4 months). Flying Eagle, Indian Head, etc.

I would like to see a remake of the “Don't Tread On Me” 13 Colonies coin. Shows unity!

The first coinage. The pine tree?

Limited mintage, one year only series.

Also, note it’s the 40th birthday of the American Silver Eagle! Fractional sets, one year only.

Jerry Parsons, Address withheld

Lincoln cent: Obverse: stay as is. Reverse: U.S. Flag (center) and ribbons with engraved captions to the effect of “For Our Children, For Our Nation, Freedom For All.”

Jefferson nickel: Obverse: stay as is. Reverse: Engraved scene of the Declaration Committee chaired by Jefferson as found in the Library of Congress.

Roosevelt dime: Obverse: Change to FDR’s recent engraved presidential portrait. Reverse: A caption (center) to the effect of, “Among Americans, there should be no forgotten citizens and no forgotten races.”

Washington quarter: Obverse: Stay as is. Reverse: Engraved scene of Paul Revere’s ride.

Kennedy half: Obverse: Stay as is. Reverse: Engraved scene of the Continental Congress.

David L. Harner, Hinesville, Ga.

I think the Draped Bust Liberty would be nice to see again, or Liberty Seated coins. We could also put the American bald eagle on the obverse in flight, which would also be nice. And on the reverse, maybe a design that looks to the future for us in outer space, like a colony on Mars or the moon or something honoring the North American Indians since they were here first.

Mark, Address withheld

The obverse of the Standing Liberty Quarter.

Ken Evanchuck, Germantown, Ohio

I would like to see the Flowing Hair and Draped Bust designs used for the 2026 circulating coins. In addition, it would be great if circulating commemorative notes were issued using some of the classic large note designs like the 1896 Silver Certificates or the 1899 $5 Silver Certificate. That would be exciting.

Andreas Saldivar, Chesapeake Beach, Md.

I would like to see coins that look like Bust coins, Barber coins, or even Liberty Walking.

Steve Weis, Address withheld

It should be a mixture of faces of different ethnic groups of immigrants but include Native Indians.

José Kanshepolsky, Scottsdale, Ariz.

On the 250th anniversary coins, show designs from the original 1788 coinage.

John Anderson, Address withheld

My kids are interested in numismatics because of their grandfather, so I let them offer suggestions:

• Army, Navy, and Marine coins celebrating the 1775 creation.

• Battles of the Revolutionary War on coins.

• Freedom collection specifically commemorating the birth of the nation, like Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Declaration of Independence, and so on.

Kevin Frysinger, Address withheld

Honor the various military branches and soldiers from the various wars and conflicts who served and died for the freedom of our country.

Mike Biondi, Address withheld

The U.S. Constitution!

Name and Address withheld

Seated dollar.

Wesley Hahn, Address withheld

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts on this topic.

• The Liberty Bell, like the one from the 1926 Sesquicentennial half dollar of American Independence.

• The signing of the Declaration.

• The Founding Fathers either as a group or individually (I know these last two are on the 1987 Constitution Bicentennial silver dollar).

• The United States flag(s) from 1776 time frame.

• The Fugio cent design of 13 rings.

• Maybe another coin with the sundial design from the Fugio.

• The Heraldic eagle or an eagle design from the first coins minted.

• Soldiers of different ranks in the Continental Army.

• The Liberty figure from the 1926 Gold Eagle commemorative.

• The USA map from the Carver/Washington commemorative half-dollar or a map of the 13 original colonies.

• A design jointly honoring Native Americans and African Americans, as European Americans would have been lost without them.

• Whether it’s in 2026 or sooner, I believe there should be a coin design commemorating the coin collector, like Rockwell’s “The Collector” painting, as we help keep the Mint doors open.

I look forward to seeing what designs the Mint selects and on which denominations.

John Gibson, Address withheld

Anything that does not have an image of Christopher Columbus.

John Erbes, Address withheld

Revive some of the old works of the early engravers: Saint-Gaudens, Barber, Brenner, etc. Don’t necessarily reuse their old designs, but maybe mint some of the patterns that didn’t get minted originally.

George Smith, Bethel Park, Pa.

The 250th-anniversary designs should include allegorical representations of the founding principles of the nation and reference to U.S. wildlife. There should be zero consideration of political movements or anything ideologically driven.

Fernando Cabrera, Miami, Fla.

In 2026 it would be great if Lady Liberty could be on the obverse of the cents, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins. For the reverse, make it different important historical things that happened between 1776 and 2016. Items such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a map of the Louisiana Purchase, a battle scene from the War of 1812, a battle scene from the Civil War or Abraham Lincoln’s Declaration of Emancipation, the United States entering World War I, Pearl Harbor of World War II, items such as these. Very important events in the 250 years of the United States of America.

Ralph A. Fuller, Strongsville, Ohio

I feel that the coin should be George Washington on the front and Mount Rushmore on the back.

Kenneth Clark, Address withheld

The removal of the old presidents. Time for a change. New presidential coins. Kennedy on the quarter. Thurgood Marshall on the dime. Frederick Douglass on the nickel.

Then redo the educational series of currency and use the same plastic paper as Canada.

It’s time to bring in the new.

Robert Shelson, Pinconning, Mich.

Walking Liberty.

Frankie Damiano, Address withheld

Neal Armstrong.

Fernando Muñoz, Conyers, Ga