Making money- From time to time the government issues new coins as it did with the Susan B. Anthony dollar in 1979 and more recently the Sacagawea Golden Dollar. Suppose you were in charge of designing a new coin for the early american colonies or even today. What denominations (amount) would you make? Would it be a new dime or a new kind of coin such as a 75-cent piece? Whose picture and what design would you place on each side of the coin?

What about a commemorative coin? Check Congressionally Authorized Coins.

Design a new coin. Understand that your coin should be a miniature national monument.

DO:

• A sketch of the new coin on a separate sheet of paper.
• Be sure to include multiple facts on your coin. Visit Anatomy of a coin. Explain these features, obverse, reverse, field, legend, mint mark, rim, edge, and relief.
• Write a paragraph that describes your coin. (See example)
• Include an explanation for each detail that you draw on your coin. For example, if you included the Liberty Bell, you might explain that it symbolizes freedom and democracy.
• In a second paragraph, explain the need for your new coin and why you think it is special.
• Here are a few student design samples submitted in previous years.

Helpful Hints:

Before you begin your study.

• Read American Coins.
• Get Real or get taken, safeguards against counterfeiting. Check it out.
• View the Mint Video.
• Complete the Coin worksheet.
• Visit the following websites.

URL's:

• Coin Designs
• The Mint
• How Coins Are Made
• The Golden Dollar
• 50 State Quarters Program
• Coin Specifications
• American Eagles
• 2003 American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins
• The Bureau Of Engraving and Printing, (Paper money only.)
• The New Color of Money.

News 4/28/2003 Governor Davis has recommended the five design concepts to the U.S. Mint as part of the Fifty State Commemorative Coin Program. The U.S. Mint will review and revise the five designs to meet appropriateness and coinability criteria. The U.S. Mint will work in conjunction with the Governor to create the final California State Quarter design which will then be sent to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for approval.

California will be the 31st state to release its commemorative quarter in January of 2005. The designers deemed finalists today in Los Angeles are Sarah Bailey of San Diego, David Biagini of San Francisco, Garrett Burke of Los Angeles, James Cody of Weed and Jonathan Louie of San Diego.

The finalists (obverse view only)

• The Golden Gate Bridge
• The Gold Miner
• Yosemite Vally
• The Giant Sequoia
• The Waves and Sun

Good Luck and Have Fun

See Mr.Yager for examples of previous students award winning designs.

2002 Finalists

• Finalist
• Finalist
• Finalist

• Finalist
• Finalist
• Finalist

• Finalist and one page explanation.
• Finalist and one page explanation.
• Finalist

See Mr. Yager for examples of award winning coin designs