U.S. MINT ARTIST CHRIS POLENTZ

U.S. Mint Artist Chris Polentz

A San Marcos-based artist and teacher who designs coins for the U.S. Mint took top honors at the recent American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money, which drew hundreds of submissions from around the world.

Chris Polentz was named a Coin of the Year champion for his American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin, which was about a year and a half in the making and was minted last year.

Images courtesy U.S. Mint

The coin, which depicts a sunflower on the front and swirling eagle on back, initially was picked as one of the top 100 coins out of 600 submissions from dozens of mints, banks and collectors around the world. His coin was top 10 in the Best of Gold category and then was a runner-up for top gold coin. A panel of more than 100 judges voted for Polentz's design as the winner in the gold coin category.

Polentz has worked on 20 coin design projects with the U.S. Mint over the past 2 1/2 years since he joined a team of more than 30 artists from across the country to create designs for U.S. coins as part of the Mint's Artististic Infusion Program. So far, three of his designs have been minted. Two designs were on the front and reverse sides of the 2025 Liberty coin and one on the front of the 2026 Declaration of Independence Coin.

Designs for the 2025 American Liberty High Relief Silver Medal and Gold Coin

Coin designs are reviewed by two committees, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. Their independent recommendations are given to the Secretary of the Treasury, who makes the final decision on which design will be minted.

"When I was selected to work on these historic projects, it felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wondered if I was out of my league" Polentz said.

To read the complete article, see:
Local artist's coin he designed for U.S. Mint wins top honors internationally (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/10/01/local-artists-coin-he-designed-for-u-s-mint-wins-top-honors-internationally/)

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