U.S. Mint Features 'POP CULTURE' Coins

NEW SPOTLIGHT ON POPULAR MOVIES, BOOKS, SUPERHEROES AND PRODUCTS

- BY MICHAEL GAROFALO

Since its start in 1792, the United States Mint's main purpose has been to provide coinage for Americans to use in everyday commerce. It is also responsible for producing coins mandated by Congress, such as special or commemorative issues. The Mint has often sought assistance from artists and other experts outside of the Mint to create unique and timely products.

From its earliest days when it was continually refining its products and production methods, the Mint held itself to the highest standards possible. It also changed its methods when it was deemed for the good of the public. A fitting example of this occurred in 1943, when the Mint shifted its production of Lincoln cents from 0.950 copper and 0.050 tin and zinc to coins comprised of zinc-coated steel. During that year, the Mint struck 1,093,838,670—over 1 billion Lincoln cents—in a metal that it had never used for coinage. That was the U.S. Mint carrying out its mission for the benefit of the country.

U.S. MINT UNDER ASSAULT BY A PRESIDENT

Just after the turn of the 20th century, the U.S. Mint was under assault—not from foreign governments or from terrorists. It was under assault from an American president.

President Theodore Roosevelt, who became the 26th president after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, looked at the current American coinage in disgust. On Dec. 27, 1904, he wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury, Leslie M. Shaw, and stated: “I think the state of our coinage is artistically of atrocious hideousness.”

Roosevelt wanted American coins to be beautiful and artistic. He looked to the high-relief coinage of Ancient Rome and Greece and wanted America’s coinage to display that same numismatic beauty.