2013 American Platinum Eagle comments

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Here in our NGC US Coin Forum we previously had an exclusive interview with celebrated coin designer Joel Iskowitz, responsible for some of the best recent US coin art. His recent thoughtful comments about the 2013 APE should be placed on record here, as published in the electronic magazine of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society, titled E-Sylum, edited by Wayne Homren:

 

The E-Sylum: Volume 16, Number 49, December 1, 2013, Article 9

 

THE 2013 AMERICAN EAGLE ONE OUNCE PLATINUM PROOF

 

An image of the coin in the November 26, 2013 issue of Coin Update sent me scrambling for more information on the 2013 American Eagle One Ounce Platinum Proof coin. What a wonderful design! Priced at $1,750.00 on the U.S. Mint web site, the coin's mintage is limited to 15,000.

 

The reverse design is by Artistic Infusion Program 2001-2012 Master Designer Joel Iskowitz, engraved by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Mike Gaudioso. The initials of both gentlemen are on the coin. -Editor

 

2013 $100 Platinum reverse

 

I contacted Joel Iskowitz for more information, and he writes:

 

Thank you so much for your kind words about my design for the 2013 Platinum Eagle Reverse. It was beautifully sculpted and engraved by Mike Gaudioso. I have been very fortunate to have my designs sculpted by the finest sculptors and artists in the world.

 

As an aside, I just wanted to give a shout out to Mike and all the world class sculptor /engravers in Philadelphia. Their praises are largely unsung ,but they deserve the highest recognition. For the record, Don Everhart leads this team of the best of the best. Phebe Hemphill, Joe Menna, Charles Vickers, Jim Licaretz and Renata Gordon. I recently had my Civil War Sesquicentennial medal appear in The Numismatist, which was sculpted by Luigi Badia, who I think belongs in this league and is America's best medallic sculptor/engraver working in the private sector.

 

As for the underlying concept behind the 2013 Platinum reverse, I hope that the image relates the narrative without too much help from my verbiage, so I'll keep it short.

 

Essentially, I tried to closely interpret Chief Justice Roberts' reading of the fifth element of the Preamble to the Constitution: To Promote the General Welfare. I attempted to set a classical but hopefully timeless (which is the best meaning of "classic") incarnation of Young America peering into the future, envisioning how the internal structure of our democratic republic, as conceived by the founders, would work in practice over time. She is emblematic of pure concept and grace, and in the case of the founders, I think the genius of America. The gears are symbolic of the practical workings of our government, the balance of powers and the intricacies of local ,state and federal governments ultimately serving the will of the people. (not always so graceful, but ultimately the best system yet) The gears are also emblematic of time and invoke the inner workings of a timepiece.

 

There's more to it, but I'll leave it at that, for fear of eliminating the chance for the viewer to interpret its meaning independently.

 

At some other time, I would welcome the chance to speak up on the subject of why I feel it is vitally important to keep a connection with the history and lineage of the great artworks in our shared cultural history, even as we strive to create new images that are innovative and evocative of our own era.

 

Thanks, and Amen! -Editor

To order form the U.S. Mint, see: 2013 American Eagle One Ounce Platinum Proof Coin (GA7) (catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=16934&langId=-1)

 

Wayne Homren, Editor