Gilpin observer., 1916-09-14
SILVER COINS TO
Bear new DESIGNS
Uncle Sam Will Make Changes in
Half Dollars, Quarter Dollars
and Dimes.
TO DROP old STYLES SOON
Coinage Of Models In Use For the Past
Quarter Of Century Will Be Dis
continued Within the Next
Year.

Comparatively few more half dol.
lars, quarter dollars and dimes bear
Ing the present designs of these coins
are to be put into circulation by Uncle
Sam. Coinage Of these designs will be
discontinued within year. In the
meantime coins of these denominations
bearing new designs will begin to make
their appearance and many of them
probably will be in circulation within
the next few months.
This means the passing of designs
which have been in use for quarter
OF century, rs under the laws gov.
erning the coinage of the United
States, designs and devices on any
coins may not be changed within %
years after their adoption. The EN-.
blems now in use on the half dollar,
quarter dollar and dime We're adopted
in 1891.
In preparing to adopt new designs
several sculptors were commissioned
10 submit sets of sketch models. From
more than so of these models Secre
tary McAdoo and Director of the Mint
Woolley selected three sets. In this
Il radical departure has been made, as
heretofore the diverse side of the half
dollar, quarter and dime have always
carried the same design, an emblem
symbolic of Liberty, and the reverse
of the half dollar and quarter dollar
an eagle of the same design. Only the
reverse of the dime has been differ
ent.
Half Dollar Not Popular.
Director Woolley suggested varying
the designs in order that the half dol
lar might be given more individuality
and thus restore it's waning popularity.
Strange to say, it has practically fallen
into disuse.
The design Of the half dollar bears
full length figure of Liberty, the folds
Of the Stars and Stripes flying to the
breezes as n background, progressing
In full stride toward the dawn Of a
new day, carrying branches of laurel
and oak, symbolical of civil and Mill
tary glory. The hand of the figure Is
outstretched In bestowal of the spirit
Of Liberty.
| The reverse of the half dollar shows
an eagle, perched high upon u noun
thin crag, his wing unfOlded, fearless
In spirit and conscious of his power.
Springing from n rift in the rock is n
sapling Of mountain pine, symbolicnl
of America.
The design Of the twenty-five cent
piece is intended to typify, in a meas
ure, the awakening interest of the
country to Its own protection The law
snecifies that on the diverse of the
coin not only the word Liberty" bu,
u representation Of Liberty shall be
shown.
In the new design Liberty Is shown
as full length figure, front view, with
head turned toward the left, stepping
forward to the gateway of the cOun-
try, and on the wall are inscribed the
words I'm God We Trust" which words
also appear on the new half dollar
mentioned. The left arm of the fig
ure of Liberty is upraised, bearing
the shield In the attitude of protec-
ton, from which the covering is being
drawn. The right hand bears the olive
branch of peace. On the field above
the head Is inscribed the word Lib
erty," and on the step under her feet,
1916"
Law Requires Eagle.
The reverse of this coin necessitates
by law representation of the Amer
lean eagle and Is here shown in full
flight with wings extended, sweeping
across the coin. Inscription UNITED
States of America" and "E Pluribus
Unum," and "Quarter Dollar" below.
Connecting the lettering above on the
outer circle are olive branches with
ribbon that is stirred by the breeze as
the bird flies.
The design of the dime, owing to the
smallness of the coin, has been held
quite simple. The diverse shows II
head of Liberty with winged cap The
head is firm and simple in form, the
profile forceful.
The reverse shows n design of the
bundle OF rods, with battle ax, known
us "fasces." and symbolical of Unity,
wherein lies the nations strength. Sur
rounding the fasces Is n full foliaged
branch of olive, symbolical of peace.
For the first time the words "In God
We Trust" are to appear on the dime.