Letter
Dear Mr. Peterson:
In its meeting of 18 April, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the proposed obverse designs for the eighth set of one-dollar coins in the Presidential series. Noting the unusual variety of appearances and uneven artistic quality among the alternatives, the Commission provided the following recommendations:
Warren G. Harding. The Commission recommended alternative #7 as the most compelling portrait, requesting that the curved edge of the shoulder be adjusted to be concentric with the coin edge.
Calvin Coolidge. The Commission members recommended alternative #5 as the superior drawing and the best likeness. They expressed appreciation for the inclusion of a profile pose among the alternatives but found its artistic quality to be unsatisfactory.
Herbert Hoover. The Commission recommended alternative #5 as the best portrait with the least unhappy countenance, commenting on the stern expression in all of the alternatives.
Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Commission recommended alternative #2 in near profile as the most recognizable, agreeing that the curvature at the shoulder edge of the portrait would be an appropriate embellishment of the design.
As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Richard A. Peterson, Acting Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20220
cc: April Stafford, U.S. Mint