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most important side, the reverse must be subsidiary, its bearings 

 should therefore be simple, such as broad letters, a shield, wreath or 

 other ornament in low relief, so that the force of the impression may- 

 be concentrated on the obverse. By this disposition the best effect is 

 given to the most important side of the coin. 



The United States Mint labours under a disadvantage in this re- 

 spect, the most of our pieces having devices on both sides, of equal 

 depths, in consequence of which the force of the blow, and the neces- 

 sary metal to supply the impression, is distributed between the two 

 sides, thus making both weak, and losing the effect of a more ju- 

 dicious disposition. 



After long experience, observation and reflection on this subject, I 

 am decidedly of opinion that the obverse of all coins should present 

 the device of a head or profile^ whether it be a " composition emble- 

 matic of Liberty," or a portrait. The likeness of our glorious 

 Pater Patrice, Washington, might justly be considered the embodiment 

 of Republican liberty — or the classic head of high art, with the ad- 

 mitted exquisite beauty of the Greek school, are alike applicable. I 

 do not desire to give a decided opinion relative to either, but I say 

 the obverse should be thus engraved because, in the first place, the high- 

 est grade of artistic talent and excellence is required for its conception 

 and execution, much more elevated than that required for the usual 

 armorial or inanimate delineations ; and, secondly, because its effect, 

 when well and suitably executed for coining purposes, is better adapted 

 to the mechanical exigencies which control the operation. The reverse 

 should, as I believe, be plain and legibly lettered, with the denomina- 

 tion of the piece, in the middle of the field, surrounded by a wreath 

 of rich composition, in low relief, with the usual legend around the 

 border. The design of the wreath might contain the products of the 

 North, West and South, the wheat, corn and cotton of our wide 

 spread domain. 



The disadvantages of the full-length figure of our silver coins, or 

 any other full-length figure, are these. The minute size of the head, 

 hands, limbs and other portions, debars the artist from the ability to 

 give the expression and finish that a high grade of art, under other 

 circumstances, permits, and when executed, however well, interposes 

 difficulty in transferring the impression to the coin. 



The various views, above presented, are sustained, and appear to 

 have had their influence, by the best and most recent coinages of 

 Europe. 



