he Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) meeting held on May 20 focused on reviewing the design proposal for the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Medal. This meeting included the swearing-in of two new members, as well as discussions on the design elements for the medal that will honor the 46th President of the United States.
New Members Sworn In
The meeting, conducted via teleconference, was opened by Chairman Peter van Alfen, who confirmed a quorum present. The session began with the introduction of the new members, Sam Gelberd and Jeanne Stevens-Sollman. Gelberd was sworn in for his first term, while Stevens-Sollman returned for another term. After their oath-taking, both members shared their views on their new roles and responsibilities in the committee.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of CCAC Meeting | May 20 |
| New Members Sworn In | Sam Gelberd (First Term), Jeanne Stevens-Sollman (Returning Member) |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of President Biden with the inscription “JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.” and President’s signature |
| Reverse Design | Images of the White House and U.S. Capitol, with a quote from President Biden’s speech on democracy |
| Quote on Reverse | “NOTHING HAS BEEN GUARANTEED ABOUT DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA. EVERY GENERATION HAS HAD TO DEFEND IT. PROTECT IT. CHOOSE IT.” |
| Inscription Change | CCAC recommended changing periods to bullets in the inscription on the reverse |
| Final Recommendations | Approved obverse as is; reverse approved with punctuation change |
The Design Proposal for the Medal
Obverse Design
The committee then reviewed the design proposals, starting with the obverse (front) side of the medal. The proposed design features a facing portrait of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. The inscription “JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.” arches above the portrait, with the President’s signature positioned to the right. The design chosen for the obverse is the one preferred by the White House, aiming to capture President Biden’s likeness in a dignified and respectful manner.
Reverse Design
The committee also considered the reverse (back) side of the medal. The reverse design includes images of the White House and the U.S. Capitol. These buildings represent President Biden’s journey from being a Senator to becoming the President of the United States. However, artistic license was used in the design, meaning the buildings are not positioned in an accurate geographic alignment. Both buildings appear together in the illustration, despite their actual locations in Washington, D.C.
The reverse side also includes an inscription with a powerful quote from President Biden’s November 2, 2022, speech:
“NOTHING HAS BEEN GUARANTEED ABOUT DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA. EVERY GENERATION HAS HAD TO DEFEND IT. PROTECT IT. CHOOSE IT.” The number 46, representing Biden’s presidency, is included in the design as a separator within the inscription.
Suggested Changes to the Reverse
The committee suggested a minor change to the reverse design. Instead of using periods in the inscription, they recommended bullets for better readability. The original inscription from the speech contains commas, but the CCAC felt the change to bullets would enhance the overall design.
Final Recommendations
After reviewing both the obverse and reverse designs, the CCAC made its final recommendations. The obverse was approved as it is, with no changes suggested. However, for the reverse, the committee recommended the change to the punctuation, replacing periods with bullets to make the quote more visually appealing.
Conclusion: A Thoughtful Design Process
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee has played an important role in the design of the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Medal. After thoughtful consideration and discussion, the committee has helped refine the medal’s design to reflect the legacy of President Biden, his journey, and his commitment to democracy. The final design will not only honor the President but will also serve as a lasting symbol of his time in office.
FAQs
1. What is the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC)?
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) advises the U.S. Mint on coin and medal designs, ensuring that they are meaningful, artistic, and appropriate. The CCAC is made up of members with expertise in coin design, history, and public interest.
2. What changes did the CCAC suggest for the Biden Presidential Medal design?
The CCAC suggested a minor change to the reverse design of the medal. Instead of using periods to separate phrases in the inscription, they recommended using bullets for better clarity and aesthetic appeal.
3. What is depicted on the obverse of the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Medal?
The obverse (front) of the medal features a portrait of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. with his name inscribed above and his signature placed to the right of the image.
4. What is shown on the reverse of the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Medal?
The reverse (back) side of the medal features images of the White House and the U.S. Capitol, symbolizing President Biden’s journey from his time as a Senator to the presidency. The medal also includes a quote from his November 2022 speech about democracy in America.
5. Why was artistic license used in the reverse design?
The reverse design of the medal places the White House and the U.S. Capitol in the same view, though they are not geographically aligned in real life. This was done for artistic purposes to visually represent the President’s journey, not as an exact map of Washington, D.C.