ARTICLE SPOTLIGHTS THE U.S. MINT'S CITIZENS COINAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

"I have a problem with the proportion," says Heidi Wastweet, examining a slide projection that depicts a soldier on the march. The arms are too short, she says. "It doesn't look like a real, human gesture."

We are in a standard, gray conference room at the U.S. Mint's downtown offices. We are here with the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, the people whose job it is to debate how your money looks.

There are 11 people on the CCAC. By law, one member must be specially qualified in numismatics, which is the study or collection of currency, and another on numismatic curating. One must be an expert in medallic arts, one an American historian. Four are recommended by the House and Senate leaders.

The remaining three are members of the General Public, the Everymen of the committee, the ordinary citizens who are called forth to proudly serve their country's coinage.

Should the new penny's reverse show a Union shield with a laurel wreath, or a Union shield with a quill pen and saber, or an eagle carrying a Union shield, or should it show an American flag? On his one-dollar presidential coin, should Chester Arthur's hair be combed or sheepdoggy?

These are the concerns of the CCAC.

Right now the committee is discussing options for a commemorative coin honoring the U.S. Army Infantry.

To read the complete article, see: The U.S. Mint's Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee: They don't just flip a coin (www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-us-mints-citizens-coinage
-advisory-committee-they-dont-just-flip-a-coin/2011/05/26/AGlDfjFH_story.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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