The Washington herald., 1909-08-04

Like all newcomers IN the critical gaze
of the public. the new Lincoln penny.
which has been in circulation only one
day, has already found its enemies.
Heralded all over the country as the
substitute Of the old cigar stand In
dian" coin. and sought IA all the money
centers as a curiosity. the new penny
bids fair 10 become o. even more value
than was at first supposed.
The trouble is this. A man by the
name Of Victor D. Bremen. Of New York.
designed the penny. Somehow or other
Mr.. Brenner's initials appear in small
raised letters on his work.
Initials on the Coin.
The letters ~. d. s." are on the coin
near the edge. on the reverse side Just
below the sheafs Of wheat They can be
seen with the naked eve II ones atten-
ton Is directed 10 them closely.
There they are. There Is nothing else
they can stand for. so far as those who
know anything about the design OF
United States coins can see. They must
belong 10 Victor d. Brenner. and what
rignt-ask the obiectors-has Victor D.
Brenner TO set his name on the exchange
Of the realm along with the likeness OF
the illustrious Abraham Lincoln? Victor
D. Brenner, they admit. may be all right.
but he Is slightly misplaced. that's all.
And so the question Is going 20 be called
to the attention Of the Director Of the
Mint To-day. and he VIII be asked 10 pass
on the matter. He will be asked 70 say.
in HIS Official capacity, whether or not
the designer Of a coin Is 70 be allowed 20
set his initials on the metal. TO be circu-
lated broadcast over the country wher-
ever the coin itself permeates.
other Freaks on Money.
It is az interesting question. tst Il Is
not entirely without precedent in the an
nails OF the mint
About three years ago there was a new
issue or SO bills The day the issue
came out there was the same enthusiasm
the same close scrutiny. and-be Il said
the same more or less disastrous results.
Il was discovered that II the hiu was
turned upside down the eagle. with its
tail feathers, made a perfect image Of a
donkey. Instantly there was a howl OF
derislon. Whether or not the designer
intended 20 perpretrate a sly joke on the
public did not appear in the argument.
The fact remained that the long-eared.
thistle-eating animal was on the bill. and
he had 10 go.
SO the new issue was recalled. and
the designers az the mint were told 10
get out new bill, devoid OF dinkeys.
. a al -
ter OF getting out a coin Forsooth. says
the casual observer, II It passes as col
lateral for the butter and eggs. why be
critical about IL?
But the PubIic Is Critical.
But the public is critical. nevertheless,
as President Roosevelt learned when he
ruled that the motto. IN God We Trust
might just as well be left OF the cur
rency. At the former Presidents say-so.
an issue OF ten dollar bills was sent out
OF the mint. devoid OF the devout proverb.
Instantly there was a storm Of protest
from the country at large. Newspapers
took up the question In their editorial
columns. Preachers in the pulpit made
up sermons about IL. II was argued that
the motto. standing on the coin and cur
renCy Of the nation, was a fitting tribute
20 the religious attitude that prompted
the pilgrims on the shores OF New Eng
land 10 offer up thanksgiving. and in
augurate for all time the custom OF cele-
brating one day OF the year in thanks 20
higher power that had allowed the new
nation TO exist.
PerPetunted Sentiment.
Il was contended that the four words
perpetuated the sentiment OF the prayers
offered up on Bunker Hm. and the fer
vor Of George Washington at Valley
Forge.
And in the face Of the general pro-
test. Congress recalled the order OF
President Roosevelt and the mint wen;
back TO the old forms, and back to the
old motto.
Ii looks as II something OF the same
sort of thing is about TO happen In the
case Of the new penny coins. That sub
stratum Of independence in the makeup
of the American people bids fair to rise
in revolt against the placing Of any
mans initials beside the name OF the
savior Of his country-even on a penny.
A decision in the matter Will be asked
from the Director Of the Mint to-day.