The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 37, September 16, 2007, Article 19

ARTICLE DISCUSSSES WYOMING'S STATE QUARTER DESIGN

The Jackson Hole Star-Tribune published an article recently commenting
on the unusual design of the Wyoming state quarter.

"When it comes to matters of public policy and personal taste, Wyoming
and its citizens aren't afraid to buck a trend.

"A recent example of that independent streak is the design of the new
state quarter, which includes a unique feature among the 50 state
quarters, and possibly among all U.S. currency ever made.

"Rather than adorn its 25-cent piece with a clutter of images like
Arkansas (diamond, duck, wetlands), the scenic outdoors like Colorado
(Rocky Mountains) or an intricately cut symbol like Georgia (charter
oak), Wyoming opted for a uniquely simple image to represent itself
to the nation.

"In fact, the clean depiction of a cowboy trying to tame a bucking
horse stands out as the only silhouetted design in the 50 state quarter
series; all others include detailed etching.

"What's more, Wyoming's quarter design may be the only silhouetted
design ever produced on a U.S. coin, said Dwight Brockman, who has
been a coin dealer in Cheyenne for 25 years and is a lifetime collector.

"After selecting the plain silhouetted design in May 2006, Gov. Dave
Freudenthal explained that it represented "our proud Western heritage
and our historical role in establishing voting rights for women."

"His official news release on the subject made no mention of his
decision to pick the silhouetted design over the more detailed versions.

"The simplicity of Wyoming's quarter has drawn complaints, and praise,
from coin collectors, artists and state residents.

"The design has been called "simple,", "elegant", and "clean." It has
also been panned as downright "boring."

"Brockman said comments about the quarter at his shop have ranged
from satisfaction to utter disappointment.

"I think that was the biggest disappointment with the real numismatists,
is there's no detail in this thing," Brockman said. "But the average
person is probably pretty excited about it."

"Beverly Paddleford, a bronze artist and co-owner of the Eagle Bronze
foundry in Lander, said the design is simplistic and beautiful.

"And while she is glad the quarter won't be crowded with too many
images and symbols, she would have preferred more detail in the
final design."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

To view the Wyoming design, see: proposed/wyoming.html
usmint.gov/...states/index.cfm?state=WY

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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