Q. David Bowers
Over the years the sculptures have evoked many sentiments from viewers. Frank Lloyd Wright commented: "The noble countenance is emerged from Rushmore as though the spirit of the mountain heard a human plan and itself became a human countenance." Franklin D. Roosevelt, at the Jefferson bust dedication on August 30, 1936, was moved to state: "I had seen the photographs and the drawings of this great work, and yet, until about 10 minutes ago, I had no conception of its magnitude, its permanent beauty, and its importance." (Roosevelt as quoted in America's Shrine of Democracy: A Pictorial History, by T.D. Griffith: published by tbe Mount Rushmore Society, 1990.)
Mint Director Pope Comments on the Coins
The following comments were included in a form letter to "Dear U.S. Mint Customer," signed by Mint Director Donna Pope and mailed in February 1991:
"The first time I viewed the designs for our new Mount Rushmore anniversary coins I was pleased to find the beauty and artistic craftsmanship that make United States Mint coins among the finest in the world. I hope you will be pleased as well. Mount Rushmore anniversary coins celebrate more than the 50th anniversary of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. In their own way each coin rekindles the spirit behind the beauty of the monument love of country, faith in freedom, and pride in the people and events that shaped our great nation. What makes these coins even more important is that they will make a direct contribution to needed preservation and restoration efforts for America's 'Shrine of Democracy.'
"As an American it is an honor for me to be a part of this national celebration. As director of the Mint it is my pleasure to extend this opportunity to you and your family .... If it were possible for presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt to see them, I think they would agree that the coins minted in their honor truly reflect the beauty and spirit of the Mount Rushmore Memorial. ... "
The Design of the Half Dollar
Ten sculptors selected from the private sector, as well as artists from the Mint staff, competed to prepare motifs. (Artists whose designs were selected are mentioned in this and following sections. Outside artists who submitted designs that were not chosen included the following: Eugene Daub (Berkeley, California), Dana Greene (New York City), Leo Irerra (Washington, D.C.), Patricia Lewis Verani (Londonderry, New Hampshire), D.C. Lamphere (Sturgis, South Dakota), and Antonio Tobias Mendez (Knoxville, Maryland). Mint artists whose designs were not selected included William C. Cousins, Michael Iacocca, Chester Y. Martin, and Edgar Z. Steever N.) On November 21, 1990, Director Pope announced that designs had been selected by Secretary of the Treasury Nicholas F. Brady, who had consulted with the Commission of Fine Arts during the evaluation process. As it turned out, each of the coins depicted, as part of the design, the Mount Rushmore sculptures in stone by Gutzon Borglum.
The work of private artist Marcel Jovine was selected for the half dollar obverse motif and that of Mint sculptor and engraver T. James Ferrell for the reverse. An official Treasury Department news releasenoted that the obverse design "features the Mount Rushmore Memorial and a sunburst," whereas the reverse motif "is a classic design of the great American buffalo [actually a bison]."
In a letter to the author, December 5, 1990, T. James Ferrell gave the following information: "I submitted designs for all three coins for the competition. The idea was that they were to be a set with a design theme. One border idea for all six sides included emblematic stars and stripes, so each face had 25 stars which would give each medal [coin] 50. The obverses all had depictions of Mt. Rushmore itself and one included a portrait of G. Borglum-who, after all, created it.
"The reverses all had animals native to the Black Hills. The buffalo design was selected for the half dollar reverse; with revisions such as making the border 50 stars and 'GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY' replacing' 50TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.'"
One Observer's Critique
No sooner had Numismatic News published photographs of the design sketches, than a reader, Duane M. Olson, wrote to express his opinion in the time-honored tradition of numismatists speaking out on matters affecting them. (Numismatic News, December 4, 1990, p.6.)
"I... am extremely angry with Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady and the Commission of Fine Arts for their unbelievably poor selections for the designs of the Mount Rushmore coins. Having worked for the National Park Service for nine years, having lived near Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, having visited Mount Rushmore many times in both personal and official capacities, I was very much looking forward to designs which would be both attractive and capable of conveying the character and meaning of the mountain to persons who had never been there. I was excited about the prospect of coins for Mount Rushmore!
"Now that I have seen the designs which have been selected, to say that I am bitterly disappointed and disgusted would be a gross understatement .... [Mr. Olson commented on all of the coins; his remarks concerning the half dollar follow.]
"The obverse of the half dollar is ... very questionable .... A bust of Theodore Roosevelt, a president responsible for proclaiming many unique areas as national monuments, would have been fitting. And it would have served to avoid duplication of the devices on the dollar coin.
"The bison on the reverse of the half dollar is appropriate, since South Dakota has many such animals, particularly in Badlands and Wind Cave national parks, and in Custer State Park. However, the creature seems to be suspended in midair, similar to the presidents on the obverse of the dollar. Back it up by a ridge, show it against an expanse of prairie, but do something-anything-to avoid the appearance that it will be floating on the coin. In nine years in South Dakota never once did I see a bison fly....
"The U.S. Mint and the Treasury secretary (which is a post obviously not qualified to judge and select coins based on artistic merit) had better realize that they need to produce thoroughly attractive and exciting coin designs if they wish their products to sell. The failure of the 1989 Congress Bicentennial coins dramatically and graphically proves this argument. The question concerning the current designs is: Are these the best of an extremely poor lot, or is terribly poor taste being used in the selection process? I was excited about the Mount Rushmore coins. Now, having seen the designs, I doubt if I will even bother to order, unless some drastic changes are made."