10 Most Beautiful U.S. Issues - A Poll

[R Wilson]

Like many people, I enjoy U.S. coinage designs based largely upon their
artistic merit. Some issues are majestic in concept and execution; others are
just plain ugly (in my opinion, two-cent pieces fall into this category).
What do you think?

I would like to offer up a poll, hoping that many of you will participate by
posting your opinion. The question is, "What are the 10 most beautiful U.S.
coin issues?" I suggest that we confine this list to federal circulating
issues and to commemoratives (i.e., no patterns, experimental or trial pieces;
no territorial or bullion issues). Are you game?

I will start things off with what I believe to be the 10 most artistic coin
issues ever released by the U.S. government. From the most beautiful to the
least, my list is as follows:

1) Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold, 1907-1932 (especially the high relief variety)
2) Walking Liberty Half Dollar, 1916-1947
3) Indian Head $10 Gold, 1907-1933
4) Oregon Trail Comm. Half Dollar, 1926-1939
5) Standing Liberty Quarter, 1916-1930
6) Panama-Pacific Exposition Comm. Half Dollar, 1915-S
7) Buffalo Nickel, 1913-1938
8) Peace Dollar, 1921, higher relief
9) Mercury Dime, 1916-1945
10) Draped Bust Dollar, Small Eagle, 1795-1798

If enough participation is generated, I may take a stab at gathering some
statistics based on the results from our poll.

Here's hoping to see an answering post from YOU...

R Wilson

[LOSTNORM]

>Subject: 10 Most Beautiful U.S. Issues - A Poll
>From: rwi...@traveller.com (R Wilson)
>Date: 11/17/98 1:15 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: <72r80c$itc$1...@tsunami.traveller.com>

>
>I would like to offer up a poll, hoping that many of you will participate by
>posting your opinion. The question is, "What are the 10 most beautiful U.S.
>coin issues?" I suggest that we confine this list to federal circulating

To many to choose from but I will give it a shot.
1) WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR
2) PEACE DOLLAR
3) MERCURY DIME
4) PAN-PACIFIC HALF DOLLAR
5) BAY BRIDGE HALF DOLLAR
6) SEATED LIBERTY ( ALL )
7) $10.00 INDIAN
8) $20.00 S-G
9)STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER (HIGH GRADE ONLY)
10) MORGAN DOLLAR
Not sure about the order, you decide.
Mike in Atlanta.

[Ed Hendricks]

My ten picks(sorry I couldn't stick to circulating coins):

1) Walking Liberty Half
2) Mercury Dime
3) Peace Dollar
4) Standing Liberty Quarter
5) Flying Eagle Cent
6) $2.50 Indian
7) $20 St. Gaudens
8) Oregon Half
9) Pilgrim Half
10) $5.00 Gold Statue of Liberty in Proof

I agree with Mike, the order is up for grabs.

Ed

LOSTNORM wrote in message <19981119184151...@ng149.aol.com>...

[Russell]

Circulating coins only, no commems.
In no particular order:

Flying Eagle Cent
Indian Cent
Lincoln Cent
Liberty Nickel
Indian Head Nickel
Standing Liberty Quarter
Mercury Dime
St. Gaudens $20 gold
Indian Head $10 gold
Liberty Walking Half

[Ross L]

AAARRRGGGHH! You passed up the Draped bust half of 1796 or Liberty capped
bust half of 1836 for Ben Franklin?

On 20 Nov 1998 00:38:32 GMT, leca...@aol.comicmpn (LECalder) wrote:

> Okay, here are my choices: Number 10 may draw some flack, but what the hell.
>
> 10. Franklin Hlf.

[KeithW]

From a novice:

1) Walking Liberty Half
2) Buffalo Nickel
3) $20 St. Gaudens
4) Mercury Dime
5) Standing Liberty Quarter
6) $2.50 Indian
7) Peace Dollar

I believe I'll stop at seven, since I'm still becoming familiar with some
of the other coins and haven't seen all of them in good enough examples to
differentiate between them for the last three slots. The others are pretty
much in order, with #1 & #2 definites.

--Keith
----
Keith Wilhite - rmv_nospm...@geocities.com -
http://www.erols.com/kwilhite/

[Mike or Karen Locke]

My own list, USmint coins, no commems or bullion or patterns
or proof only:

Gobrecht's Dollar
Any seated half dollar
St. Gauden's high relief double eagle
Flying Eagle cent (only well struck UNCs)
1794 Large cents
Large cent head of 1837-1838
Indian head nickel
Indian head quarter & half eagle
Philippines large peso
Three cent nickels

--
S'later, Mike & Karen Marie Locke kar...@rahul.net
Mike is EAC #4357, LSCC #1636, JRCS #841, ANA #R-170301, CCS #F11
SPPN life member, Australian N.S. #1747

Visit http://www.rahul.net/karenml for Calgold info and other stuff of
interest

[LECalder]

Okay, here are my choices: Number 10 may draw some flack, but what the hell.

1. Saint High Relief
2. Bay Bridge
3. Standing Libs, Type 1
4. Indian cent
5. OST Commem Hlf
6. Trade Dollar
7. Mercury Dime
8. Buffalo Type 1
9. Walker
10. Franklin Hlf.

My choices are for the best examples of a given coin, at least MS63.

L
Larry Calder
NINE out of TEN farm animals prefer that you eat more CHICKEN!!

[R Wilson]

In article <19981119184151...@ng149.aol.com>, lost...@aol.com (LOSTNORM) wrote:
>>Subject: 10 Most Beautiful U.S. Issues - A Poll
>>From: rwi...@traveller.com (R Wilson)
>>Date: 11/17/98 1:15 AM Central Standard Time
>>Message-id: <72r80c$itc$1...@tsunami.traveller.com>
>
>>
>>I would like to offer up a poll, hoping that many of you will participate by
>>posting your opinion. The question is, "What are the 10 most beautiful U.S.
>>coin issues?" I suggest that we confine this list to federal circulating
>

> To many to choose from but I will give it a shot.
>1) WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR
>2) PEACE DOLLAR
>3) MERCURY DIME
>4) PAN-PACIFIC HALF DOLLAR
>5) BAY BRIDGE HALF DOLLAR
>6) SEATED LIBERTY ( ALL )
>7) $10.00 INDIAN
>8) $20.00 S-G
>9)STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER (HIGH GRADE ONLY)
>10) MORGAN DOLLAR
> Not sure about the order, you decide.
>Mike in Atlanta.

Thanks for the input, Mike. As expected, your list differs somewhat from
mine. I agree with you that choosing only 10 is not easy.

To everyone else, please share with us your list of the 10 most beautiful U.S.
coins. I am saving all of the lists, including a couple that came to me via
email, and plan to post some results in a few days. The more we have
participating in this little "poll", the more accurately these results will
reflect Joe Averages' opinion on the subject.

R Wilson

[theco...@webtv.net]

5 favorite obverses:
Peace Dollar
Flowing Hair Half Dollar
Draped Bust Dollar
$10 Indian Head
Hudson Commemorative

5 favorite reverses:
The Gobrecht Dollar
$20 St. Gaudens
Standing Liberty Quarter
1892 Columbus Commemorative
$20 Liberty (with motto)

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
<<<<<<< theco...@webtv.net >>>>>>>
<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

[Dr. Richard L. Hall]

LOSTNORM wrote:

> >Subject: 10 Most Beautiful U.S. Issues - A Poll
> >From: rwi...@traveller.com (R Wilson)
> >Date: 11/17/98 1:15 AM Central Standard Time
> >Message-id: <72r80c$itc$1...@tsunami.traveller.com>
>
> >
> >I would like to offer up a poll, hoping that many of you will participate by
> >posting your opinion. The question is, "What are the 10 most beautiful U.S.
> >coin issues?" I suggest that we confine this list to federal circulating
>

I like the following. Some for their outstanding creativity. Some for their
great beauty. And some for their simplicity.

1) Buffalo Nickel
2) Standing Liberty Quarter
3) Oregon Trail Commemorative
4) Walking Liberty Half
5) Indian Cent
6) Liberty Nickel
7) Peace Dollar
8) Morgan Dollar
9) Panama-Pacific Half
10) Indian Head $10 gold

I would rate these all more or less equally. And, of course, I could throw in a
few more like the St. Gaudens $20 Gold and the Draped Bust Type large cents and
half cents.

Richard

[MBa...@hotmail.com]

On Tue, 17 Nov 1998 07:15:28 GMT, rwi...@traveller.com (R Wilson)
wrote:

>I will start things off with what I believe to be the 10 most artistic coin

Mercury dime
Buffalo nickel
Indian $2.50 & $5
Walking Liberty half
Peace dollar
Standing Liberty quarter
Reverse of Shield nickel
Indian cent
high grade Barbers
Pre-1834 Busts

[LOSTNORM]

>Subject: Re: 10 Most Beautiful U.S. Issues - A Poll
>From: leca...@aol.comicmpn (LECalder)
>Date: 11/19/98 6:38 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: <19981119193832...@ng151.aol.com>

>Okay, here are my choices: Number 10 may draw some flack, but what the hell.

>10. Franklin Hlf.

No flack from me, I was tempted to say the same thing.
Mike in Atlanta.

[Piec...@webtv.net]

1) Saint gold
2) Oregon Trail commem.
3) Walking Liberty half
4) Standing Liberty quarter
5) Flying Eagle cent
6) Gobrecht dollar
7) Draped Bust quarter
8) Stone Mountain commem.
9) G. Washington half commem.
10) Buffalo nickel
Hon. Mention) 76 Drummer boy reverse

[bobevej]

Also listing circulating coins, no commems, no patterns, post 1793 US:

1. Walking Liberty Half Dollars
2. St. Gaudens $20.00 Gold
3. Indian Head $10.00 Gold
4. Liberty Standing Quarters
5. Bust coins - small eagle reverse
6. Bust coins - large eagle reverse
7. Trade Dollars
8. Liberty Seated Half Dollars
9. Indian Head Cents
10. Buffalo Nickels

#1 and #2 are really tied for First Place.

Russell wrote in message <3654c...@news3.enter.net>...

[icya lapz]

I'm just returning to collecting so I don't feel like I can make a
complete list of 10 These choices are not in any special order:
Standing Liberty quarter
mercury dime
Walking Liberty half
Flying Eagle
Silver Eagle (not sure it counts)
Seated Liberty nickle?
Buffalo nickle

[Teel Adams]

Piec...@webtv.net wrote:

> 9) G. Washington half commem.

I like the G.Washington too. Love the horse

[TurboDC3]

One disparagingly common trait amongst approximately 95% of the choices is that
they are now obsolescent designs. The most popular designs seemed to have
dated from the time of Teddy Roosevelt. I don't think we will ever have coins
that will ever match the artistry of that time in American history.

But of all the choices listed, I have a favourite; the 1794 large cent.
D. Parrish
Novro...@yahoo.com

Collecting coins and banknotes of Scotland, Russia and the United States

[Mr. William J. Chin]

I thought I'd answer in the order of the approximate dollar amount
I've spent on the various series. Money talks :)
1) $20 Saint
2) Morgan dollar
3) Seated liberty dollar
4) Walking liberty half
5) Vermont commem half
6) Mercury dime
7) Buffalo nickel
8) Barber half
9) Three cent silver
10) Seated liberty half

[Tony Clayton]

The real question is, if this was extended to a world-wide selection,
would any US coins feature on the list? ;-)

Flame-proof suit donned....

--
Tony Clayton to...@tclayton.demon.co.uk
Coins of the UK : http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/coins.html
Metals used in Coins : http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/metal.html
... I am. Therefore, I think. I think.

[LECalder]

> if this was extended to a world-wide selection,

If "ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we would all have a MerryChristmas".

[TurboDC3]

Aye forgive me for this question to you, is whether any rendition of her
majesty would make the list? There have been some fine reverses of British
coinage, but lately, they have been laking for an attractive monarch for the
obverse. Especially with the new "old Queen"

[-Steve-]

1. St. Gaudens
2. Flying Eagle Cent
3. Buffalo Nickel
4. $2.50 Indian
5. Indian Head Cent
6. Ike Dollar (the reverse is great)
7. Peace Dollar
8. Sheild Nickel
9. Walking Liberty Half Dollar
10. Standing Liberty Quarter

Worst - most modern issues and definitely Susan B. Anthony Dollars.

[Dr. Richard L. Hall]

Tony Clayton wrote:

> The real question is, if this was extended to a world-wide selection,
> would any US coins feature on the list? ;-)
>
> Flame-proof suit donned....
>
> --

Oh! I don't think there is any doubt that many of the older classic U.
S. coins could hold their own against almost any foreign coins. Modern
issues (with the exception of the silver and gold Eagles) may be a
different matter.

Richard

[Ian Milne]

I would contend that the `modern' US beat the less than modern hands
down (if you take commemoratives into the equation - leave them out and
the situation is reversed)).

The Oregon Trail for example being probably one of the most aesthetic
coins I have ever seen. That one doesn't fit with this thread though
because its a `commemorative'.

Ian

[Tony Clayton]

In message <19981123181333...@ng140.aol.com> TurboDC3 wrote:

> >The real question is, if this was extended to a world-wide selection,
> >would any US coins feature on the list? ;-)
> >
> >Flame-proof suit donned....
> >
> >--

> >Tony Clayton to...@tclayton.demon.co.uk
> >Coins of the UK : http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/coins.html
> >Metals used in Coins : http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/metal.html
> >... I am. Therefore, I think. I think.
>
> Aye forgive me for this question to you, is whether any rendition of her
> majesty would make the list? There have been some fine reverses of British
> coinage, but lately, they have been laking for an attractive monarch for the
> obverse. Especially with the new "old Queen"
>

My prize for the ugliest portrait of the Queen goes to that on the more recent
Canadian coins, followed closely by the UK 1998 version.

I found a 1998 portrait pound coin in my change the other day, and got quite excited until
I turned it over and found it was a 1998 Gibraltar pound....

I have still only seen the 1p, 2p and 50p 1998 coins in circulation

--
Tony Clayton to...@tclayton.demon.co.uk
Coins of the UK : http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/coins.html
Metals used in Coins : http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/metal.html

... I am Popeye of Borg. Prepare to be askimilgrated.

[Dr. Richard L. Hall]

Ian Milne wrote:

> I would contend that the `modern' US beat the less than modern hands
> down (if you take commemoratives into the equation - leave them out and
> the situation is reversed)).

That's true, Ian. If one includes commemoratives some are much better than
the modern circulating coinage. I listed a couple of the older commems in my
original list.

> The Oregon Trail for example being probably one of the most aesthetic
> coins I have ever seen. That one doesn't fit with this thread though
> because its a `commemorative'.

I think I included the Oregon Trail commemorative 50c in my list. But that's
an older coin 70 years old or so. I'm not sure I'd classify it as modern.

Richard

[Mike or Karen Locke]

Tony Clayton wrote:
>
> The real question is, if this was extended to a world-wide selection,
> would any US coins feature on the list? ;-)
>
> Flame-proof suit donned....

Have you ever seen a high grade Gobrecht dollar or high relief
St Gauden's double eagle?

'nuff said.