Q. David Bowers
[THE DESIGN]
By the time this issue of The Numismatist reaches its readers most of them will have had an opportunity to examine the coin and will judge for themselves the merits of the designs, At first glance it will appear that the artist's idea of rays of light indicating the coming of peace has been somewhat overdone, both sides of the coin showing many diagonal or straight heavy lines. Had these been softened or made less conspicuous, the general appearance would have been improved. The female head and "Liberty" on the obverse wears a coronet of rays of light instead of wings. The lips of the female are slightly parted, giving the face the appearance of astonishment. This feature is not more pronounced, however, than that on the $10 gold piece, and the profile of the dollar in general is better than that of the $10. The profile is sharp and clear, but the hair has little detail, and the loose locks give it a rather unkempt appearance.
On the reverse the motto "E Pluribus Unum," which is of second or third importance, is in letters as large as "United States of America," and both lines are placed at the upper circumference, giving the top a crowded appearance. With the rays made less pronounced and the motto placed in the field in smaller letters, the effect would have been better. The lettering is not sharp, but this is frequently the case when dies are made from sculptor's models. The use of a "V" as an old style "U" is common with designers of medals, but when used it should be used uniformly. The wording on the reverse has the modern "U" throughout, but in the word "Trust" on the obverse the old-style "U," or "V," is used.
[CRITICISM]
As usual, some of the newspapers have tried to make it appear that the new coins will not stack. This complaint has been made with every new type of coin issued since those of Saint-Gaudens' designs. As a matter of fact, there is little difficulty in this respect.
Someone has pointed out that the planchets are slightly thinner on the edge at the point just below the "21" on the date, as well as at the point at the other end of this diameter, which is just below the mountain top on which the eagle is standing.
Of a few specimens examined on the day they were placed in circulation all of them showed some abrasion on the center of the obverse, and this blemish has been called to our attention by a correspondent in New York City. Pieces that were not nicked in several places were the exception among those examined.
To what extent the new coin will circulate remains to be seen. Reports from different localities are that there was a big demand for them the first day of issue. This is no test of a coin's popularity, for a similar demand always follows a coin of a new type. It is more than probable that all but a small percentage of them will be stored away in the Treasury vaults to permit the issue of silver certificates. The new coin has been styled a commemorative issue.
Whether it is entitled to this designation is a question. In our opinion it is not. The joint resolution fathered by the ANA and its committee provided that the coinage of silver dollars under the terms of the Pittman Act "shall be of an appropriate design commemorative of the termination of the war between the Imperial German government and the government and people of the United States," and that "each standard silver dollar of such design shall be known as the 'Peace dollar.' " Had this resolution passed and been approved the coins issued under it would have been entitled to the designation of "commemorative," and it would have permitted any design upon the coins that met with the approval of the director of the Mint, the secretary of the Treasury and the Fine Arts Commission. It would have permitted designs more truly commemorative of the declaration of peace. The designers would have had more latitude for their creative minds. This was no doubt what the ANA and its committee had in mind when the proposition was launched.
Failure of special legislation for the coin made it necessary that it be struck under the provisions of the law authorizing the issue of the standard silver dollar-that of February 28, 1878. This act provided that the silver dollar should be of the weight of 412-1/2 grains troy of standard silver, with the same devices and superscriptions as those provided in the Act of January 18, 1837, and these provisions as to design and superscriptions merely re-enacted those in the Act of 1792 establishing the Mint. The Act of 1837 provided that "upon one side of each of said coins there shall be an impression emblematic of Liberty, with the inscription of the word Liberty, and the year of the coinage; and upon the reverse of each of the gold and silver coins there shall be the figure or representation of an eagle, with the inscription United States of America, and a designation of the value of the coin; but on the reverse of the dime and half dime, cent and half cent, the figure of the eagle shall be omitted."
The coinage of the old type of silver dollars of 1921 and the new Peace coins is under the Pittman Act, but this act relates principally to the bullion from which they are to be struck and in no way affects the designs.
With these restrictions placed upon the designs and inscriptions, no very great latitude was allowed the designer except in which may be his conception of an "impression emblematic of Liberty" on one side.'
In a hasty examination of the laws relating to the coinage we do not find any authority for the use of the motto "E Pluribus Unum" on our coins. It appears on some of our earliest coins, and since that time has alternately been on them or omitted. The motto "In God We Trust" was omitted on the first issue of the Saint-Gaudens design, but was later restored.
The new Peace dollar series carries the word "Peace," and unless changed by special Act of Congress it will appear on them for 25 years, even though we should be engaged in one or half a dozen wars during that time.
After the expenditure of so much time and effort by the committee to have the joint resolution passed by Congress it is a disappointment to have it fail. But as the object sought was the issue of such a coin, and as this has been brought about by other means, the credit for originating the idea and the issue of a Peace coin belongs to Mr. Zerbe and the ANA and its committee.
[THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS]
The Executive order issued by President Harding on July 28, 1921, requires that all essential matters relating to the design of medals, insignia and coins produced by the executive departments shall be submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for advice as to the merits of such designs before the executive officer having charge of the name shall approve thereof. This commission is composed of Messrs. Charles Moore of Detroit, Mich., chairman; John Russell Pope of New York City, vice-chairman; James L. Greenleaf, New York City; James E. Fraser, New York City; Henry Bacon, New York City; Louis Ayres, New York City; H. Siddons Mowbrey, Washington, Conn., and Lieut.-Col. Clarence O. Sherrill, Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C., the latter being the secretary and executive officer. The office of the commission is at 1729 New York Avenue, Washington, D.C.
The San Francisco Chronicle of December 21 published a portrait of Director of the Mint Raymond T. Baker under the caption "New Dollar's Dad" and quoted him as saying:
"Inasmuch as there has been no change in the design of the silver dollar since 1878, I thought that the time was ripe for a new design," said Baker yesterday. "The law provides that the design cannot be changed within 25 years, but that after that period it may be changed with the approval of the secretary of the Treasury. This having been secured, the Committee of Fine Arts instituted a contest in which eight of the leading sculptors of the country engaged. The award went to Anthony de Francisci."