The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
CCAC public meeting San Francisco, CA July 28, 2005 A public meeting of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee was held on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 2:30 PM, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, CA. This meeting was conducted at the annual meeting of the American Numismatic Association. Attending the meeting were Mitch Sanders (Vice-Chairman), Ute Wartenberg (Secretary), Daniel Altshuler (via telephone), Leon Billings (via telephone), Bill Fivaz, Rita Laws, Donald Scarinci, and Ken Thomasma. The meeting began with brief introductions of all the CCAC’s members, and a welcome to Donald Scarinci as the CCAC’s newest member. The CCAC considered proposed designs for the reverse of the American Eagle Platinum proof bullion coins, for the years 2006, 2007, and 2008 (images of the designs and explanations by the artists are attached). This series of coins will represent the three branches of the United States Government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Designs were presented by Christy Bidstrup of the United States Mint. Ms. Bidstrup informed the CCAC that the participating artists had been instructed to represent each branch allegorically, and that the artists were discouraged from submitting images based on buildings. She also indicated that an image of a bald eagle is legally mandated to appear on the reverse of these coins. The CCAC considered the ten designs for each year in turn. The process proceeded in two stages. In the first stage, each member indicated whether or not they thought each design should proceed to the second stage. If four members supported a design then it would move on to receive more detailed discussion in the second round, but if fewer than four members expressed support for a design it would not be considered further. In the second round each member commented on the remaining designs, after which the CCAC voted to determine its preference. For the 2006 designs representing the Legislative branch, designs L-6 and L-8 advanced to the second stage. After some discussion, the committee voted 8-0 to recommend design L-6. Members praised L-6 as a very nice and very interesting design, and an appropriate allegorical representation of the Legislative Branch of government. It was recommended that the design be clarified to show that the figure’s eyes are open. In the first round of consideration of the 2007 designs, representing the Executive branch, no designs received the four votes necessary for consideration in the second stage. It was then agreed that the CCAC would discuss designs E-3 and E-7, which had each received the firstround support of three members. Some members spoke favorably of the choice of the White House as a symbol on design E-7, but by a vote of 4-3 (with one abstention) the CCAC voted to recommend design E-3. Members appreciated the contemporary meaning of the design, the strength of the eagle, and the inscription “Freedom” on design E-3. There was a consensus that on design E-3 the banner draped over the shield should be more flowing and less rigid, and that the typeface on the word “Freedom” should be changed. Among the designs for the Judicial branch, scheduled for issue in 2008, J-1, J-2 and J-6 received sufficient support to advance to the second stage. Each member assigned 0, 1, 2, or 3 points to each of these three designs, and the CCAC’s collective preference was indicated by the total points for each design. The CCAC voted to recommend design J-1, with that design receiving 22 points out of a possible 24. Design J-2 received four points and design J-6 received eight points. Members considered design J-1 to be dramatic, beautifully done, and symbolic. Members also thought that the combination of two powerful figures on design J-1 – the American eagle and the owl representing wisdom – was interesting and innovative, and would work very well on a coin. There was a consensus that whichever design was chosen, the figure of Justice should be blindfolded. Following the consideration of bullion coin designs, the CCAC unanimously approved the minutes of the May 24, 2005 meeting. There was a brief discussion of the upcoming Annual Report, and an announcement that the CCAC’s website – www.ccac.gov – was up and running. The website contains information about the CCAC and links to committee documents, as well as a form for the public to submit comments to the CCAC. Finally, Madelyn Marchessault updated the committee on legislation related to coins and medals. The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 P.M. Immediately following the meeting, the members of the CCAC held a public forum on “Coin Design: Past, Present, and Future,” and heard opinions from the numismatic community on that topic. The next CCAC meeting will be held on September 27, 2005, at United States Mint headquarters in Washington, DC.
@FedFRASER