The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 18, May 1, 2005, Article 27

COMMEMORATIVE DESIGNS FOR ALL DENOMINATIONS

Dick Johnson writes: "Let#39;s see. We have statehood quarters.
Rep Michael Castle#39;s new legislation passed the House this week,
it puts U.S. presidents on dollar coins. What#39;s next? I know --
Signers of the Declaration of Independence on half dollars!
All 56 signers.

Isn#39;t this deja vu all over again? Yes, this does sound familiar.
These are the same ideas 40 years ago for a series of medals
by a group of Ohio numismatists. Do you remember Presidential
Art Medals? They issued several highly successful medal series,
one of presidents, a series of statehoods, a series of signers.
All three of these series were the inspired creations of one
sculptor-medalist, Ralph J. Menconi.

What other series did they issue? Apollo flights. World
War II events. Medical celebrities.

Put the Space flights on cents. World War II events on
nickels. Medical heroes on dimes.

The U.S. Mint would have to hire a dozen more engravers,
add a night shift in the press room and mint sets would cost
over $300 for all the year#39;s coins!

Harried cashiers would inadvertently accept more foreign
coins in U.S. retail businesses. You would have to closely
examine every coin at every transaction. There are some
things best commemorated on medals.

Presidential Art Medal Series are listed on the website of
the Medal Collectors of America: Presidential Art Medal Series "

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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