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Proposed Mint Medals
Looking with curiosity at the design proposals shown in coin newspapers
for some of the upcoming US Mint medals, it makes me nostalgic for the earlier days of classic sculptors and medalists. These proposed designs apparently are what we must expect when we encourage artists to "modernize" our coin and medal designs. They remind me more of the type of results we so often see when the works of modern sculptors appear in city plazas or other public places. There must be an acceptable middle ground between the soldier on horseback and someone's interpretation of "enlightened Liberty contemplating breakfast". The proposed Paulson medal does capture his likeness on the obverse, but the composition looks more like a campaign button than a commemorative medal. The reverse conglomeration is totally ridiculous, as most critics have pointed out. Almost state quarter-like, but worse. And I don't see what the large peregrine falcon on the reverse has to do with his job as Treasury Secretary, except that he has been an advocate for its protection. It's lucky he wasn't as enthusiastic about whales. The medal for Mint Director Edmund Moy looks like a somber memorial to his death rather than a celebration of his accomplishments. That partial off-the-edge profile seems to be the "in" thing nowadays among coin and medal designers. Doesn't work for me, but then I've been out of the fine arts mainstream for almost fifty years. Showing my age, the image reminded me right away of the 1950's TV character, Michael Anthony (Marvin Miller), who gave away money each week on the "Millionaire". Coincidence, I'm sure. Most everyone looks like someone else somewhere. The reverse features a torch. Period. And some Latin. Most unfamiliar with Moy would have no idea what this medal represents or why he is featured on it. The proposed medal for Tony Blair reportedly was criticized heavily by the all-knowing Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) members for its design ("cheezy") and because they felt the portrait did not look like him. I don't really have an opinion one way or another on this one. It sorta looks like him-- as much as portraits on other medals resemble their namesake-- but the design doesn't appear to be anything special, unless the minted version were in high relief. The reverse looks like a stock design in which one could insert one's own words. I could probably come up with better designs (in my own mind). But if I were ever to be featured on a medal of this type, I would hope the design would be similar to some of the detailed medallic efforts produced in the 18th and 19th century. Copper or bronze would be fine. No need for silver or gold. Just a faithful portrait on the obverse and a beer can on the reverse. |
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#2
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Proposed Mint Medals
Bruce Remick wrote:
Looking with curiosity at the design proposals shown in coin newspapers for some of the upcoming US Mint medals, it makes me nostalgic for the earlier days of classic sculptors and medalists. These proposed designs apparently are what we must expect when we encourage artists to "modernize" our coin and medal designs. They remind me more of the type of results we so often see when the works of modern sculptors appear in city plazas or other public places. There must be an acceptable middle ground between the soldier on horseback and someone's interpretation of "enlightened Liberty contemplating breakfast". The proposed Paulson medal does capture his likeness on the obverse, but the composition looks more like a campaign button than a commemorative medal. The reverse conglomeration is totally ridiculous, as most critics have pointed out. Almost state quarter-like, but worse. And I don't see what the large peregrine falcon on the reverse has to do with his job as Treasury Secretary, except that he has been an advocate for its protection. It's lucky he wasn't as enthusiastic about whales. The medal for Mint Director Edmund Moy looks like a somber memorial to his death rather than a celebration of his accomplishments. That partial off-the-edge profile seems to be the "in" thing nowadays among coin and medal designers. Doesn't work for me, but then I've been out of the fine arts mainstream for almost fifty years. Showing my age, the image reminded me right away of the 1950's TV character, Michael Anthony (Marvin Miller), who gave away money each week on the "Millionaire". Coincidence, I'm sure. Most everyone looks like someone else somewhere. The reverse features a torch. Period. And some Latin. Most unfamiliar with Moy would have no idea what this medal represents or why he is featured on it. The proposed medal for Tony Blair reportedly was criticized heavily by the all-knowing Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) members for its design ("cheezy") and because they felt the portrait did not look like him. I don't really have an opinion one way or another on this one. It sorta looks like him-- as much as portraits on other medals resemble their namesake-- but the design doesn't appear to be anything special, unless the minted version were in high relief. The reverse looks like a stock design in which one could insert one's own words. I could probably come up with better designs (in my own mind). But if I were ever to be featured on a medal of this type, I would hope the design would be similar to some of the detailed medallic efforts produced in the 18th and 19th century. Copper or bronze would be fine. No need for silver or gold. Just a faithful portrait on the obverse and a beer can on the reverse. I am of the opinion that the digital age is responsible for this. Coins are designed on a computer screen these day and they look like it. Just a bunch of clip art rendered with no idea how it translates into the relief on a coin. JAM |
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Proposed Mint Medals
"Bruce Remick" wrote in message ... The proposed Paulson medal does capture his likeness on the obverse, but the composition looks more like a campaign button than a commemorative medal. The reverse conglomeration is totally ridiculous, as most critics have pointed out. Almost state quarter-like, but worse. And I don't see what the large peregrine falcon on the reverse has to do with his job as Treasury Secretary, except that he has been an advocate for its protection. It's lucky he wasn't as enthusiastic about whales. He's very enthusiastic about whales--SAVE THE A.I.Gs ************************************* CEO "talent" can easily be out-sourced to pick-pockets street-walkers or an empty bottle of MD20/20. ************************************** |
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Proposed Mint Medals
"Longnine009" wrote in message ... "Bruce Remick" wrote in message ... The proposed Paulson medal does capture his likeness on the obverse, but the composition looks more like a campaign button than a commemorative medal. The reverse conglomeration is totally ridiculous, as most critics have pointed out. Almost state quarter-like, but worse. And I don't see what the large peregrine falcon on the reverse has to do with his job as Treasury Secretary, except that he has been an advocate for its protection. It's lucky he wasn't as enthusiastic about whales. He's very enthusiastic about whales--SAVE THE A.I.Gs You're right there. Maybe that "campaign button" look to his medal isn't just a design coincidence. |
#5
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Proposed Mint Medals
"Bruce Remick" wrote in message ... "Longnine009" wrote in message ... "Bruce Remick" wrote in message ... The proposed Paulson medal does capture his likeness on the obverse, but the composition looks more like a campaign button than a commemorative medal. The reverse conglomeration is totally ridiculous, as most critics have pointed out. Almost state quarter-like, but worse. And I don't see what the large peregrine falcon on the reverse has to do with his job as Treasury Secretary, except that he has been an advocate for its protection. It's lucky he wasn't as enthusiastic about whales. He's very enthusiastic about whales--SAVE THE A.I.Gs You're right there. Maybe that "campaign button" look to his medal isn't just a design coincidence. That would make a good satire medal. Paulson's mug on the obverse and wallstreet on the reverse: SAVE THE WHALES. Seems surpirsing that no one is producing some kind of satire medal for all this crap. I spent about an hour looking last week and found nothing, except some blog from some one who thought they should give him the Medal of Honor. ************************************* CEO "talent" can easily be out-sourced to pick-pockets, street-walkers or an empty bottle of MD20/20. ************************************** |
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