First Impression: Washington Gold Dollar
Despite the obvious design flaws that I can see just from the image the mint is showing off, I still decided to pick up a couple and see what they were all about. I missed out on collecting the state quarters and really don’t feel like trying to catch up now. In the end, I’ll end up keeping the collection to give to my son at some point.
In any case, now that I’ve seen one of the Washington Golden dollars, I have a few more impressions. First, the obverse design (George’s face) is really as bad as it looks in the image. No ifs, ands or buts about that. He really does look that angry. If you look closely enough, you’ll notice that the “In God we Trust” is missing from the face of the coin. After a quick inspection, you’ll notice that it’s been moved from the face to the edge of the coin. Instead of the usual ridged edge, we get a smooth edge with the phrases “In God we Trust” and “E Pluribus Unum” imprinted on it. As unique as that idea is to U.S. currency, it isn’t executed very well. The lettering is almost smudged and nearly unreadable.
Where the coin really shines (pardon the pun. Gold nearly always shines.) is on the reverse. It features a splendid design of lady liberty (the statue of liberty) and eschews the usual “one dollar” for a nice modern, European looking $1. It’s really too bad that they ruined the wonderful design on the reverse with a poorly designed obverse.
In the end, I still think that the introduction of the new gold dollar coins will not change the usage of the dollar bill. In fact, at the end of the ten year schedule, I can only imagine that the allure of the new golden dollar will have faded year over year. The only thing that it might have going for it in the latter years is that more of the people who will be collecting them will have favorites amongst the Presidents that are in the late releases. Reagan for instance should see a pretty high demand. Carter, if he’s gone by the time the 10th year rolls around and gets his own dollar coin, could be fairly popular as well.
Also, keep an eye out for the first lady series of gold bullion $10 coins. They are to be released on a fairly close schedule with their husband’s golden dollar. Could make a unique set if you collect both the golden dollar and the $10 gold bullion coins.
Technorati Tags: gold dollar, washington gold dollar, gold bullion, gold coin, george washington
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Marshall Middle said,
Wrote on February 20, 2007 @ 6:21 am
I agree these new gold dollars will be more for collectors than for general public use.
Joe Wenzel said,
Wrote on February 23, 2007 @ 9:56 am
You are delusional if you think Jimmy Carter would ever get a Presidential Coin in anyone’s lifetime. He sold the Shah of Iran out, which led to the students in Iran taking over. Which in-turn led to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan since the U.S. was no longer stationed inside Afghan’s borders. The Soviet Invasion led to the formation of the mujadeen (sic) fighters which overthrew the Soviets. These fighters were now listless and rudderless without a fight and soon morphed into the Taliban and Al Quaeda. Iran has state-sponsored terrorism. All the aforementioned items most likely would not have occured if Carter had supported the Shah (let’s not forget he gutted the American Military) and our forces still would have been (and probably to this day) still on Iranian soil. The 8 year Iran/Iraq war in the 1980’s would not have occured and thusly nor would the 1990 Desert Storm War. This 1990/1991 conflict led to our forces being substantially inside Saudi Arabia (more than the token amount that was there prior) which irked the likes of Bin Laden. So taking it to its conclusion 9/11 never would have occured, nor would the current Iraq fiasco if Carter had supported the government in Iran back in 1978/9. I blame Carter for the mess the world is in now. We seem to overlook his failings as a President (don’t forget the 13% inflation rate) because he hammers a few boards together for Habitat for Humanity and sits around and watches people drop ballots into ballot boxes. Though I should probably just as pissed off at Nixon for the Watergate Fiasco, because if that didn’t happen the American people never would have voted for Carter as a backlash against any Republican candidate.
Bit Guru said,
Wrote on February 23, 2007 @ 11:42 pm
In my review of the coin I didn’t think to scruitinize the face itself. I’m not sure why–it is rather poor, isn’t it. I like the coin overall, though.
TM said,
Wrote on December 20, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
Joel, you are delusional if you think he won’t. The golden dollar program commemorates ALL non-living presidents, not just the ones you think are good. In fact, that might be a good collecting strategy… to line up the “bad” presidents. You have to admit, love him or hate him, the Nixon dollar will be a strange sight. Or the LBJ dollar, haha. This is going to be great!
Penny Saved said,
Wrote on December 28, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Yep, it’s sort of an all or nothing kind of deal. They can’t very well exclude just a few presidents - after all, who would decide who does or doesn’t make the cut?