The Ten Most Beautifully Designed U.S. Coins

In this world we live in, art, sculpture, and design are important parts of our lives. We love to look at interesting, unique, and beautiful things. It could be a fantastic building, a beautiful painting, or an amazing newly designed automobile. I believe the same goes for coins, in that we look for great coin designs, at least among us numismatists or causal coin collectors. I am an artist, photographer, and numismatist, and I want to give you a review and a little history of what I consider the most beautiful U.S. coin designs. With a great deal of thought, I came up with my choice of the top ten. Here they are in no particular order; I like them all the same. Have fun, take out your magnifying glass if you have any of these coins, and enjoy.

Designed by Robert Scot

This beautifully designed silver dollar shows the artistry of the old days of U.S. coinage. The highly detailed depiction of Miss Liberty on the obverse of the coin, in my opinion, is one of the best. Looking at the detailed flowing hair, you can see the engraver really wanted something special for our nation’s first silver dollar. The reverse shows an exquisitely detailed eagle perched on a wreath. If you ever have the opportunity to see one of these coins up close, take the time to enjoy this piece of art.

Designed by James B. Longacre

This coin, the nation’s first small one-cent piece, came into existence because the larger copper cents became much more expensive to produce. Looking at this coin’s clean and simple design, while at the same time, the eagle on the obverse is quite detailed, showing the designer’s desire to create something new that the public will use every day. The reverse shows a nicely designed wreath, simple but elegant, which was also on the gold dollar and three-dollar gold by the same designer. The first time I saw and held one of these, I admired the beauty of this small coin.

Designed by James Earle Fraser and Laura Gardin Fraser

It’s one of my favorite coins of all time. You know I had to include a commemorative half-dollar on this list. This magnificently designed half-dollar, on both the obverse and reverse, shows the craftsmanship of its creators. The reverse shows a pioneer family in a Conestoga wagon heading west into the sunset, with beautiful rays coming from that sun. Everything is highly detailed and arranged in a perfect balance. The obverse is just as interesting and detailed as the back, depicting a sole Indian with a bow in front of a United States map. All the elements on this coin make it a must-have for any collector who loves beautiful coins.

Designed by Adolph A. Weinman

The elegance of this coin is incredible; it’s beautifully designed and highly detailed, and the fine artistry is outstanding. One of the best designs for a circulated coin, in my opinion. The obverse of this coin shows Lady Liberty walking towards the rising sun of a new day with an American Flag draped over her shoulders. In her right hand, she holds an olive branch while her left hand clutches a bundle of oak and laurel branches. The reverse shows a strong, proud American Eagle with an amazing amount of detail. Now, this is Americana! Everything about this fifty-cent piece is appealing.

Designed by James B. Longacre

This coin, which appeared in 1864, was made in bronze and was the very first circulating coin to bear the motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST.” That motto continues even today, and I personally believe it should stay, but that’s another matter. It was also the introduction of a brand-new denomination. The obverse of the design features “The Great Seal of the United States,” with the banner above flowing with those words, in God we trust. Crossed arrows and laurel branches finish off the impressive front of this unique coin. The reverse has the denomination “2 cents” surrounded by an ornate wheat wreath. In my opinion, I love the intricacies of this coin’s design, the detail in its shield, and its uniqueness. It’s a beautiful and interesting coin, indeed.

Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt

These very unusual but delightful coins have what is called an “incuse” design. This was the first time that U.S. coinage achieved this method of minting, meaning that all the lettering and motifs were sunken in the relief rather than raised on the surface of the coin. When I first saw this coin, I was quite impressed, as I had never seen anything like it before. I guess that was the artist in me. The obverse using this new method is an Indian Chief surrounded by thirteen stars. The reverse was a standing American eagle, also done with this new incuse design. Nicely done, eye-appealing, interesting, and totally unique, this is one of my favorites.

Designed by Robert Aitken

I have to include another commemorative half-dollar of my ten best designs, as I love this series and the amazing artwork some of them display. On a side note, I am still trying to put together a type set of this series. This grand coin is a souvenir half-dollar minted for the California Pacific International Expo. The obverse shows a seated Minerva, holding a spear and a shield, with a grizzly bear on her right. The reverse is equally as impressive, depicting the Chapel of St. Francis and the California Tower at that exposition in San Diego. With beautiful balance and symmetry, perfect engraving, and classic minting, this coin is a winner.

Designed by Hermon A. MacNeil

When I first received one of these coins in my first years of collecting (That was many years ago), I fell in love with this “different” quarter.” That was an old, worn, beat-up version of this coin that you can hardly read the date. But there was something about it that caught my attention. The obverse of this quarter depicts Liberty as much of our coinage does, standing holding a shield and an olive branch. In the middle of a gate, the words “In God We Trust” are engraved, with stars in a vertical position. She is wearing a jacket of chainmail armor with her right breast exposed. There were two variations of this coin, with the second version having that right breast covered up. On the obverse is the American eagle soaring majestically to the right, with version one having no stars below the eagle and the second with three stars below it.

Considering this was a coin minted for general circulation, the composition and detail on this coin are impeccable. If you ever have a chance to see one in mint condition, take out your magnifying glass or loop and study its details. There has never been another quarter dollar like it.

Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Extraordinary, exceptional, and remarkable are just some of the words I would use to comment on this perfectly crafted and designed coin. A true piece of art, designed by perhaps the best, if not the most famous designer of them all, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. There are two versions of this 1907 coin: high-relief and ultra-high-relief twenty-dollar gold pieces. Both have exceptional beauty and artistry, but the one I am referring to is the ultra-high relief. Lady Liberty walks towards us as if walking out of the coin. The dawn of a new day has rays of sunshine behind her. She holds a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The date is done in Roman numerals, adding just a bit more to its pizazz. On the reverse is a beautiful eagle, but not just another eagle, as it is crafted in such high relief that you can see details like none other. This coin, with many collectors, is considered to be one of the most exquisite ever created, and I, for one, agree. There is so much to talk about on this coin, but that will have to go into another article.

Designed by Robert Aitken

First, there are two versions of the fantastic coin, one round and the other octagon. I am going to talk about the latter of the two, as I like it just a little bit more. It was created to commemorate the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. I believe it’s one of the heaviest U.S. coins, weighing in at 2.4186 oz of pure gold and 44.9 mm from point to point. That’s a pretty hefty coin and so unusual. The obverse of the coin features a helmeted profile of Minerva, with a shield of armor surrounded by dolphins. This coin’s date is also done in Roman Numerals. The reverse has an owl standing on a pine branch with pinecones, also surrounded by dolphins. Now, what can I say about this massive hunk of pure gold? This commemorative is bar none to any coin out there. It is truly magnificent. Large, unusually shaped, with extraordinary design and detail, perfect balance, and extraordinary execution, it’s a must-see. I only wish I had the chance to see one in person. Let alone own one, which is a bit out of my price range, going for 50K plus in AU-50 condition. One can only dream. It is a truly stunning and unique coin.

Well, there you have it. My pick for the ten most beautiful coins in America. It wasn’t easy; there are so many to choose from. I did this using the process of elimination, starting with about 37 designs I liked and chiseled them down one by one to procure my favorites. Perhaps you agree with me, or possibly you don’t. It would be interesting to hear which ones are your favorites.

All images courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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