Design candidates for the 2015 Native American $1 Coins have been released by the United States Mint. Twenty different images have been unveiled with each one depicting a design emblematic of the theme, "Mohawk Iron Workers."
Artists created these designs at the request of the U.S. Mint. They are now subjected to a selection process that will lead to one of them chosen as the final design for the 2015 coin. This selection process will include reviews by both the Citizen’s Coinage Advisory Committee and the United States Commission of Fine Arts. Based on their recommendations along with those of U.S. Mint officials, the Treasury Secretary will make a final design selection. It is possible that slight changes may be made to the winning design.
The Mohawk Iron Workers theme is the latest in a series of annually changing reverses going back to 2009. The series celebrates the important contributions made by Indian tribes and individual Native Americans to the history and development of the United States, and it was authorized by the Native American $1 Coin Act, Public Law 110-82.
Mohawk Iron Workers describe the Mohawk people who helped construct skyscrapers and bridges throughout the United States. Their iron worker history dates back to the 1880’s when they labored to build a bridge over the St. Lawrence River. Their work ethic and sure footing demonstrated on that bridge gained them a respected reputation which has led to generations of Mohawk Iron Workers.
Previous Native American $1 Coins showcased the following themes:
- 2009 – Three Sisters Agriculture
- 2010 – Great Tree of Peace and the Iroquois Confederacy
- 2011 – Great Wampanoag Nation
- 2012 – Trade Routes
- 2013 – Treaty with the Delawares
The unveiling of the 2015 design candidates comes just a few days before this year’s 2014 Native American $1 Coins are due for release and sale to the public in rolls, bags and boxes. Launching on March 20, the 2014 Native American $1 Coin features a reverse commemorating the native hospitality that helped to insure the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Release details will be available on CoinNews.net in a later article.
Design Candidates for 2015 Native American $1 Coins
Below are line art images for all 20 candidate designs. Note that the candidates start at number two since a number one was not released to the public.
