Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-07
NEW DESIGNS FOR COINS.
A Circular Letter Sent Out by Director Leecl
to Artists.

Circular Letter Sent Out by Director Leech
to Artists.
Mr.. Leech, the director Of the mint. will to-
day send ont a letter to artists asking them to
submit designs for the diverse and reverse OF
the silver dollar. and for the diverse or face OF
the half dollar, quarter dollar and dime.
The recent act of Congress authorized the di-
rector to adopt new designs of authorized en-
blems or devices. As the devices and notices
are fixed by law, the field of improvement ID
limited to the practical representation of the
prescribed device, which, for the diverse, is a
figure emblematic of liberty, with, OF
course, proper artistic adornments. The
director thinks that the gold coins of
this country compare favorably with those OF
civilized countries with the possible exception
of the new gold coins of Germany, which have
considerable elaboration of detail, and have
raised letters on the periphery to prevent fill
ing. The objection TO the raised letters is that
the coins AFRAID rapidly, as all raised surfaces
do.
As the designs of our gold coins are gen.
orally satisfactory, and especially as gold forms
no considerable part of the circulating medium
of the country the director has decided not to
make any change in the designs of our gold
coins for the present.
THE SILVER COINS.
As the designs of our silver coins, especially
of the silver dollar, have been very much cr1ti-
cised from an artistic standpoint. he proposes
to deal with these coins first and avails himself
OF the present time first, for the reason that
the mandatory coinage of the silver dollar
ceases after the LIST of July. SO that
the preparation of new dies from
new designs will not interfere with the
monthly coinage of silver dollars now required.
and. second, because Congress has made an ap-
preparation of Sl50.00O for the recoinage Of the
subsidiary silver coins in the treasury. that is.
to reimburse the treasurer of the United
States for the loss of metal from abrasion, and
| he hopes. with this appropriation. to be able to
recon at least 50 900 900 in half dollars quarter
dollars and dimes. The director believes that
new coins OF improved design will be popular,
| and there will be no trouble in putting the full
| amount coined into immediate circulation.
The circular which has been prepared will be
| sent out to artists generally, but the designs
will be confined to models or medallions in
plaster and in "low relief" suitable for coins.
ton, will be paid for each design accepted,
five in all When the designs are
opened the director will probably ask the as
sistance of distinguished critics in matters OF
art IN the acceptance or rejection of designs.
While the recent act of Congress gives the di-
rector authority to employ distinguished artists
in the preparation OF new designs. and he could
legally limit the competition to those who have
made a speciality of relief designing, the
director thinks that it would be more satisfac-
tory to throw the competition open to all He
believes that distinguished artists like St.
Gaudens, Ward and Henry Mitchell will COM
pete, not that the reward would be an induce
ment, but the honor of having designed the
coins of this country, which designs cannot be
changed for quarter Of a century, may prove
a sufficient inducement.
THE MOTTO TO BE RETAINED.
In Difference to public opinion the motto
''In God We Trust will be preserved on the
coins which are large enough to permit of its
inscription. The director gives the history of
this motto, which is somewhat interesting
From the organization of the mint in
1892 down to 1864 no religious motto appeared
upon any OF our coins In November. 1861
the Rev. NJ. r. Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pa.
addressed a letter to Mr.. Chase. then Secretary
OF the Treasury, suggesting a recognition of
the Deity on the coins of the United States.
His suggestion was approved by the Secretary,
BUTT was found that the notices were fixed
by law and it would require an act of
Congress to change them, so that in 1863.
when plans were submitted for the new
three-cent, two-cent and one-cent pieces. the
director proposed one of the following notices:
Our Country, Our God, God, Our Trust"
In lieu of these notices Mr.. Chase suggested
the motto, which was adopted, In God We
Trust" 1t was first placed upon the two-cent
bronze piece, authorized in 1864 (which piece
has since been abolished); but il is now upon
all the large coins of the United States.
The designs for the new coins are to be sub
mitted, as stated, IN the shape of medallions in
plaster of the diameter of from four to eight
blems and notices prescribed by law, and the
director is in hopes that it will lead to a mate
rial improvement in the artistic appearance of
our coins.