An Eruption at the US Mint. Molten Metal and Lava Collide!

I was thinking about the America the Beautiful Quarters series from the US Mint, which features United States National Parks, Historical Sites, Wildlife Sanctuaries and such. I had the opportunity to look at the designs approved by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee for the 2012 coins. The one that caught my eye first was the design for the coin from Hawaii.

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee was established by Congress in 2003 to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on the themes and designs of all US coins and medals. The CCAC serves as an informed, experienced and impartial resource to the Secretary of the Treasury and represents the interests of American citizens and collectors. It has historically been quite conservative in its choice of designs.

The Hawai'i design is somewhat different than many designs chosen in the past. Some folks see it as "modernistic" and "almost abstract." Designers and engravers applaud the decision as endorsing artistic freedom.

Other designs in the running reportedly featured Hula Dancers, with an erupting volcano in the background. The endorsed design puts the volcano front and center. One member of the CCAC indicated that the design could be mistaken for a campfire. But Chief Engraver John Mercanti and Kaarina Budow, the Mint's manager for sales and marketing, say they will make the design work.

While I like the concept of the design, I'm afraid that I am going to need more images, and maybe actually hold the first coin in my hand before I give the design the thumbs up or thumbs down.

Art Haule
http://www.squidoo.com/nationalparkquarter




P.S. I apologize for my somewhat sporadic presence here. It'll get much better in the coming weeks. I promise!

Coins and History

It's August 18! That's a significant date in our family because it happens to be my wife's birthday (Happy Birthday Kathy Haule!). While that is cause for celebration in the Haule household, it's not the reason most women or numismatists would remember the date.

August 18 is the anniversary of the date that the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. What was the 19th Amendment?

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

And what does this have to do with coinage? Check out THIS PAGE and you'll find a brief discussion of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar.

Coins are a great way to introduce history lessons! You could use it to introduce the entire idea of citizenship. Discuss the suffragette movement. Tell students about her registering to vote on November 1, 1872, her actual voting 4 days later, her arrest, indictment and conviction for voting. Remember the politics of the thirty nine years between Anthony's conviction and the passage/ratificaton of the amendment. So many topics introduced by a single coin!

A prop is a great way to introduce or reinforce a history lesson! I know that when I work with my coins I often remember the history of the subject and the politics surrounding the introduction of the coin. My daughter tends to view me as a little "different," and she's probably right, but I enjoy it. And knowing the history behind the coin makes me appreciate it just a little bit more.

Coin Book List Started! Is Your Favorite Here?

The adage in the coin sorld is "buy the book before you buy the coin." That's good advice! With any collectible you need to do your research before you buy the product. I'm starting to put together a list of coin books which can be found at Squidoo's Coin Books Lens. If the book is available on Amazon I'm including a link there as well. I hope to hear from collectors about books that I am not yet aware of so that I can add these to the list as well.

2009 Silver Quarters Proof Set from US Mint

I received this notification from the US Mint this evening. I include it for your consideration. If you're collecting the State Quarter series it's a great opportunity!


The United States Mint 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Silver Proof Set contains six new quarter-dollar coins honoring the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories, each struck in lustrous 90% silver. Enjoy the unique character of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands as portrayed on these beautiful works of art. These coins are a shining embodiment of the United States Mint’s commitment to quality and excellence. Click Here To Go To The US Mint Site.