We weren’t exactly enraptured by the five final designs submitted for the Colorado quarter. While the concept of an iconic mountain with the motto “Colorful Colorado” makes perfect sense, the U.S. Mint’s rendition leaves us wondering: Is it Longs Peak or is it a coincidence?
The drawing is said to be a generic image of our towering vistas, but in the eye of many beholders, it bears an uncanny resemblance to the south view of Longs Peak – granted, with a slightly altered profile.
A panel led by first lady Frances Owens winnowed about 1,500 submissions to the five finalists. Written descriptions were turned into concept drawings by U.S. Mint artists, and the governor bypassed Pikes Peak and the 10th Mountain heroes to choose “Colorful Colorado” as the slogan and Mount Generic as the image. The new coin, part of the 50-state series, goes into circulation next year.
“In the end, I wanted a design that spoke to a statewide vision,” said Owens.
Public response has been positive, the governor’s office reports, but we know plenty of people who bridle at the very idea of Mount Generic in a state with hundreds of towering mountains to choose from.
Other states have used generic images. Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, put a generic lake onto its quarter, for example, as if they didn’t want to offend any partisans of the real lakes.
California (for once) opted for reality, depicting Yosemite Valley, a condor, and naturalist John Muir. Even so, not everybody was pleased. “In every state, there are thousands of narratives or designs submitted, so you’re bound to get a lot of opinions,” said Becky Bailey, public affairs director for the U.S. Mint. In California, “Some thought Hollywood should be chosen.”
An important consideration is “coinability,” said Bailey. “How will that narrative come across in a tiny little pallet called the quarter?” Fair enough. We like the Colorado image well enough and we think collectors will embrace it even if the contribution of Longs Peak, or not, remains a mystery.
