CCAC Public Meeting 11/18/2025

Key Concepts

• Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC): A committee that advises the Secretary of the Treasury on the themes and designs of all U.S. coinage.
• Congressional Gold Medal: A gold medal awarded by the United States Congress to individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to American society.
• Native American $1 Coin Program: An annual series of $1 coins that honor the contributions of Native Americans.
• American Youth Sports Quarters: A series of quarter dollars featuring designs emblematic of sports played by American youth.
• Paralympic Half Dollars: A series of half-dollar coins featuring designs emblematic of Paralympic sports.
• Obverse: The front or "heads" side of a coin.
• Reverse: The back or "tails" side of a coin.
• Liaison: A representative who acts as a link between different groups or organizations.
• Numismatics: The study or collection of coins, banknotes, and medals.
• Public Law 118-150: The law that posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm.
• Public Law 110-82 (Native American Dollar Coin Act): The law that mandates the annual Native American $1 Coin Program.
• Circulating Collectible Redesign Act: The act that directs the redesign of quarter dollars and half dollars from 2027-2030.
• "Unbought and Unbossed": Shirley Chisholm's presidential campaign slogan.
• "Hey Nalu": The Native Hawaiian term for surfing.
• "Omaha Waji": The Omaha words for "Omaha doctor."
• Rod of Asclepius: An international symbol of medicine.
• Four Hills of Life: An indigenous metaphor for the stages of life.
• "Act of Congress": A phrase that adds gravitas to Congressional Gold Medals.
• "E Pluribus Unum": A Latin phrase meaning "Out of many, one," appearing on U.S. currency.

Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal

This section of the meeting focused on reviewing candidate designs for a Congressional Gold Medal honoring Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress.

Key Points and Details:

• Shirley Chisholm's Legacy: Recognized for her activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics. She was the first African-American woman elected to Congress (representing Brooklyn's 12th Congressional District) and the first African-American to seek a major party's nomination for President of the United States. Her slogan was "Unbought and Unbossed." She was instrumental in creating the WIC program and co-founded several influential organizations, including the National Women's Political Caucus.
• Public Law 118-150: This law posthumously awards the medal.
• Liaison Preferences: Mayor Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA, former U.S. House of Representatives) and Barbara Bullard (President and CEO of the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute) served as liaisons. Their preferred designs were obverse 01 and reverse 02.
• Obverse Designs:
  • Design 01 (Liaison's Preference): Features a portrait of Chisholm with her signature smile, a dress with geometric and floral patterns, and a lotus flower earring symbolizing strength. Inscription: "I am a catalyst for change, first black woman elected to Congress."
  • Design 01A: Similar to 01 but with a geometric floral pattern in the background. Inscription: "I am and always will be a catalyst for change."
  • Design 02: Depicts Chisholm with a thoughtful and confident expression.
  • Design 03: Shows Chisholm behind a podium making a peace sign.
  • Designs 04 & 04A: Portray Chisholm with the Brooklyn Bridge and U.S. Capitol building in the background. Design 04 also includes a mother and child, referencing the WIC program.
  • Design 05: A portrait of Chisholm speaking passionately into a microphone.
  • Design 06: Features Chisholm wearing a textile motif illustrating her journey ("Chisholm Trail"). Inscription: "Unbought and Unbossed."
  • Design 07: Captures Chisholm in front of the Brooklyn Bridge. Inscription: "Unbought and Unbossed."
• Reverse Designs:
  • Reverse 01 & 01A: Feature a folding chair with the inscription, "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." Design 01A has a geometric background.
  • Reverse 02 (Liaison's Preference): Depicts Chisholm in motion carrying a folding chair, with the quote, "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." It includes the inscription "Here to stay" to highlight progress.
  • Reverse 03: Highlights Chisholm facing the Capitol building, addressing a crowd with a peace sign. Inscription: "Dared to be a catalyst of change."
  • Reverse 04: A hand making a peace sign with a butterfly resting on its finger, an American flag in the background, symbolizing transformation and hope.
  • Reverse 05: An illustration of Chisholm's legacy as a mother nurturing her child, with Liberty watching over them. Inscription: "A catalyst for change."
• Committee Discussion and Decisions:
  • Technical/Legal Questions: Donald Scarinsky inquired about whether the same artist designed paired obverse and reverse designs, noting that this could enhance artistic cohesion. The Mint staff could not confirm pairings without them being presented as such.
  • Liaison's Preferred Designs: Obverse 01 and Reverse 02 were strongly supported by the liaisons.
  • Modifications: A motion was made and unanimously passed to adopt obverse 01 and reverse 02 with two modifications:
    1. Substitute "Unbought and Unbossed" for "I am a catalyst for change" on the obverse.
    2. Add "Act of Congress 2024" to the obverse, with the Mint staff determining the best placement.
  • Key Arguments: The chosen designs were praised for capturing Chisholm's essence, historical significance, and powerful legacy. The folding chair motif on the reverse was particularly noted as a unique and impactful element. The inclusion of "Act of Congress" was seen as adding gravitas.

2027 Native American $1 Coin (Reverse Designs)

This segment focused on the reverse designs for the 2027 Native American $1 coin, which honors Dr. Susan La Flesh Picotte.

Key Points and Details:

• Program Mandate: The Native American $1 Coin Program, established by Public Law 110-82, honors Native Americans and their contributions. The obverse retains the depiction of Sacagawea.
• Honoree: Dr. Susan La Flesh Picotte: The first Native American woman to earn a medical degree. She provided care on the Omaha reservation and built the first privately funded hospital on an Indian reservation. She was born into the Omaha tribe and witnessed the lack of medical care, which motivated her to become a doctor. She graduated from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1889. She tirelessly served a vast area, treating over 1,240 patients. The Dr. Susan La Flesh Picotte Memorial Hospital operated until 1944 and was later dedicated as the Dr. Susan La Flesh Picotte Center.
• Omaha Language: Several designs incorporate Omaha words like "Omaha" or "Omaha Waji" (doctor). A correction was noted for the spelling of "Waji" to include an accent mark and end in 'e'.
• Liaison Input: Representatives from the Omaha tribe identified designs 3, 4, and 7 as strong depictions. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) deferred to the Omaha tribe's recommendations. Liz Lovejoy Brown, Director of the Dr. Susan La Flesh Picotte Center, was present and provided feedback.
• Candidate Designs:
  • Design 01: Depicts Dr. Picotte's medical bag beside her as she cares for an elderly Omaha woman, referencing her motivation to become a doctor.
  • Design 02: Portrays Picotte on horseback in traditional Omaha attire, traveling to patients, symbolizing her life in two worlds. Includes a tepee, earth lodge, hospital, Rod of Asclepius, and the "four hills of life."
  • Designs 03 & 03A: Depict Picotte holding a stethoscope, preparing to listen to a patient. Inscription: "Against the current" (translation of Omaha and reference to her determination). Includes a shining sun. Design 03 has four hills; 03A includes the Rod of Asclepius. Omaha tribe identified Design 03 as strong.
  • Design 04: Features Picotte wearing the Rod of Asclepius, on horseback with the hospital behind her. Includes an Omaha applique pattern border. Identified as strong by the Omaha tribe.
  • Design 05: Portrays Picotte in Omaha attire with a stethoscope, holding her medical bag, with her hospital in the background.
  • Design 06: Features Picotte wearing a stethoscope and Omaha attire, holding a model of her hospital. Includes a lilac flower on her collar.
  • Designs 07 & 07A: Show Picotte on horseback carrying medicine, with an Omaha pattern border. Design 07 includes the "four hills of life." Design 07A features a background divided into four sections representing the four winds/directions. Omaha tribe identified Design 07 as strong for its portrayal of Picotte on horseback and her grit.
  • Designs 08, 08A, & 08B: Depict Picotte with her stethoscope and medical bag, with the hospital in the background (08, 08A) or superimposed over an outline of the Omaha reservation (08B). Includes lilacs in the background.
• Committee Discussion and Decisions:
  • Key Themes: Empathy, determination, legacy, Omaha culture, and accurate representation of Dr. Picotte.
  • Concerns: Accuracy of Dr. Picotte's likeness (Design 01 was noted as looking like a "Barbie" by an elder), potential for crowding on the coin, and the importance of cultural symbols.
  • Scoring Results: Design 01 received the highest score (21 points), followed by Design 07 (15 points).
  • Motion: Kellen Horde moved to recommend reverse design 01, with the Mint making adjustments in cooperation with the liaison to ensure a more accurate representation of Dr. Picotte's appearance. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

2028 Native American $1 Coin (Reverse Designs)

This section reviewed reverse designs for the 2028 Native American $1 coin, which will honor the Native Hawaiian contribution of surfing ("Hei Nalu").

Key Points and Details:

• Program Mandate: The Native American $1 Coin Program honors Native Americans. The obverse will retain the depiction of Sacagawea.
• Honoree: Hei Nalu (Surfing): Deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian culture, practiced by men and women for centuries. Introduced to the world by Hawaiian surfers in 1885. Duke Kahanamoku popularized surfing in the U.S. Rell Sun became a world champion and co-founded the Women's Professional Surfing Association.
• Design Elements: Designs use generalized depictions and traditional "olo" boards. The 2028 Summer Olympics will feature surfing.
• Liaison Input: Helena Capuni Reynolds, Assistant Curator of Native Hawaiian History and Culture at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, provided input. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) indicated a preference for Design 01 with the sun from 1A added.
• Candidate Designs:
  • Designs 01 & 01A: Feature a Native Hawaiian surfer riding an "olo" board towards the viewer, with waves and the inscription "Hei Nalu." Design 01 includes another surfer in the distance; 01A has a centered sun. NCAI preferred Design 01 with the sun from 1A.
  • Design 02: Features a Native Hawaiian surfer in a "malo" (traditional loin cloth), riding towards the shore, inspired by iconic poses.
  • Design 03: Presents a surfer riding towards shore with a Hawaiian landscape and a triangular motif.
  • Design 04: Illustrates a surfer from a low angle with clouds in the sky.
  • Design 05: Captures a surfer as a wave barrels around him, with Diamond Head in the background.
  • Design 06: Displays a surfer clad in a wetsuit contemplating a wave, imagining a silhouette speeding down the face. "Hei Nalu" is incorporated like a megaphone.
  • Design 07: Shows a surfer making the "shaka" gesture while carving a wave, with a Hawaiian-inspired motif and the denomination inside a sun.
  • Design 08: Depicts a surfer balanced on his board riding a wave, with a Hawaiian-inspired motif and the denomination inside a sun.
  • Designs 09A & 09B: Highlight a surfer gliding along a wave. Design 09 shows additional surfers on shore and a distant wave. Design 09A omits the surfers on shore. Design 09B features the surfer alone.
• Committee Discussion and Decisions:
  • Key Themes: Dynamic action, cultural significance, historical accuracy, gender inclusivity, and visual clarity at coin size.
  • Liaison Preference: Design 01 with the sun from 1A added.
  • Scoring Results: Design 02 received the highest score (17 points), followed by Design 01 (15 points).
  • Motion: John Saunders moved to adopt reverse design 02. Sam Gilbert seconded the motion.
  • Amendment: Art Bernstein noted an error in his scoring and wished to add three points to Design 02, bringing its total to 20. This was accepted.
  • Decision: The motion to recommend reverse design 02 passed unanimously.

2027-2030 American Youth Sports Quarters (Obverse Designs)

This section reviewed obverse candidate designs for the George Washington quarters, which will feature youth sports on the reverse.

Key Points and Details:

• Program Mandate: The Circulating Collectible Redesign Act directs the redesign of quarter dollars annually from 2027-2030. Reverses must be emblematic of youth sports.
• Obverse Requirement: The obverse must maintain a likeness of George Washington but be designed to distinguish it from previous programs (e.g., American Women Quarters). Inscriptions must include "Liberty," "In God We Trust," and "Quarter Dollar" (or "25 cents").
• Attire Classification: Designs were categorized as civilian or military attire.
  • Civilian: 01, 04, 06, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
  • Military: 02, 03, 03A, 08, 09, 10, 11, 20, 21, 22, 24.
• Candidate Designs: A variety of portraits of Washington were presented, including profiles, three-quarter views, and depictions on horseback. Some designs incorporated elements like rising suns or horses.
• Committee Discussion and Decisions:
  • Key Themes: Modernity, freshness, recognizability as Washington, and pairing with youth sports reverses.
  • Concerns: Military attire vs. civilian attire, depictions on horseback (seen as more suitable for reverses), clarity of inscriptions ("E Pluribus Unum"), and artistic style.
  • Scoring Results: Obverse 01 received the highest score (20 points), followed by Obverse 14 (17 points).
  • Motion: Kellen Horde moved to recommend obverse quarter 01. Art Bernstein seconded.
  • Discussion: Debate centered on whether to favor modern, dynamic designs (like 01) or more traditional, recognizable portraits. The "coolness" factor for younger collectors was also discussed.
  • Decision: The motion to recommend obverse quarter 01 passed with nine in favor and one abstention.

2027-2030 Paralympic Half Dollars (Obverse Designs)

This segment reviewed obverse candidate designs for the half-dollar coins, which will feature Paralympic sports on the reverse.

Key Points and Details:

• Program Mandate: The Circulating Collectible Redesign Act directs the redesign of half-dollar coins annually from 2027-2030. Reverses must be emblematic of Paralympic sports.
• Obverse Requirement: The obverse must maintain a likeness of John F. Kennedy and be designed to distinguish it from the current Kennedy half-dollar. Inscriptions must include "Liberty," "E Pluribus Unum," "In God We Trust," and "Half Dollar" (or "50 cents").
• Candidate Designs: A range of portraits of Kennedy were presented, including profiles, facing portraits, and depictions related to his passion for sailing and space exploration.
• Committee Discussion and Decisions:
  • Key Themes: Modernity, recognizability, capturing Kennedy's spirit, and avoiding repetition.
  • Concerns: Accuracy of likeness (especially hair), clarity of inscriptions, and the appropriateness of depicting hobbies (sailing) on the obverse.
  • Scoring Results: Obverse 02 received the highest score (20 points), followed by Obverse 04 (14 points).
  • Motion: Kellen Horde moved to recommend obverse half-dollar 02. Art Bernstein seconded.
  • Discussion: Obverse 02 was praised for its striking, modern, and dynamic portrayal. Concerns were raised about the placement of "E Pluribus Unum" and potential issues with Kennedy's hair, but the committee ultimately trusted the Mint's discretion to address these.
  • Decision: The motion to recommend obverse half-dollar 02 passed with nine in favor and one abstention.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee convened for a comprehensive public meeting on November 18, 2025, to review and discuss candidate designs for several significant U.S. coinage programs. The committee unanimously approved the minutes from their previous meeting.

The meeting began with the review of designs for the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal. After hearing from liaisons Mayor Barbara Lee and Barbara Bullard, who provided invaluable personal insights into Chisholm's life and legacy, the committee discussed various obverse and reverse designs. Ultimately, they recommended obverse 01 and reverse 02, with modifications to include "Unbought and Unbossed" and "Act of Congress 2024" to enhance the medal's historical and symbolic impact.

Next, the committee evaluated reverse designs for the 2027 Native American $1 Coin, honoring Dr. Susan La Flesh Picotte. Following extensive discussion and input from the Omaha tribe's representatives and the liaison, Liz Lovejoy Brown, the committee scored the designs. Reverse Design 01 emerged as the highest-scoring option, with a motion passed to recommend it, contingent on adjustments to ensure a more accurate depiction of Dr. Picotte's likeness in collaboration with the liaison.

The discussion then moved to the 2028 Native American $1 Coin, which will feature the Native Hawaiian sport of surfing ("Hei Nalu"). After considering various dynamic designs and hearing from liaison Helena Capuni Reynolds, the committee scored the options. Reverse Design 02 was selected as the top choice and recommended by unanimous vote.

Finally, the committee addressed the obverse designs for the 2027-2030 American Youth Sports Quarters and Paralympic Half Dollars. For the George Washington quarters, obverse 01 was recommended, favored for its modern, dynamic, and fresh approach, aligning with the need for contemporary coin designs. For the John F. Kennedy half-dollars, obverse 02 was recommended, lauded for its striking, modern, and dynamic portrayal that captures Kennedy's spirit. Both recommendations passed with strong support, reflecting the committee's commitment to producing coinage that is both artistically compelling and historically significant for current and future generations. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.