I was shocked to read in Slate that there appears to be some dissatisfaction with the art on the new state quarters. The author writes that the designs on the state quarters released to date "fall into three main categories: the single icon, the kitschy collage, and the tableau (or the good, the bad, and the ugly)." She then goes on to say that the "five collage quarters resemble '50s souvenir plates." Well, as a big fan of the state souvenir plate, I have to say I see nothing wrong with that. I mean, what do you expect from a quarter? You can't even buy a nice Hello Kitty sticker from a gum machine with a quarter these days, but somehow it's expected to rise above kitsch status and become great art?
Besides, take a gander at these lovely candidates for the Iowa state quarter! I don't think I could choose. I am anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the California quarter. I favor a "Gold Rush" theme, or perhaps something with the state bear would be nice. One thing I liked about the Slate article is that it tipped me off to the existence of Coin World's State Quarters's page, where the controversy about the state designs is brewing. I had no idea there were so many people concerned about state quarters!
Of course, my interest has to do with the sequential nature of the project--the serial release of artistically imprinted coin. I did not previously know that the public was encouraged to submit designs, but I think it fits with the essentially democratic nature of coin art. You're standing there, doing your laundry, maybe picking up a soft drink, and you turn over the change in your hand, and suddenly there's this new miniature piece of artwork for you to admire.