How to coin a state symbol

It's not easy choosing a design for the Washington state quarter.

The state commission that solicited suggestions and is in charge of selecting the finalists to be submitted to the U.S. Mint received 1,150 suggestions via e-mail by the July 30 deadline.

Mount Rainier, the main attraction of a national park that draws more than 2 million visitors a year, is the image most suggested by the public. The other top vote-getters, in order of popularity, are the Space Needle, apples, salmon, Mount St. Helens and evergreen trees.

"There have been more things named after this great mountain [streets, schools, banks, etc.] than anything else in our state," said one of the e-mails. "No other state's famous landmark can be seen simultaneously by the majority of its population."

All nominations were anonymous, as requested by the U.S. Mint. There is no prize, and no recognition individually for the winning suggestion. The entries ranged from the serious to the not-so-serious to the frivolous.

The suggestion that the quarter should feature Bigfoot with Mount St. Helens erupting, and ashes falling on an umbrella, would fall into the frivolous category, said Mark Gerth of the Washington Arts Commission, and spokesman for the state Quarter Advisory Commission. The panel is headed by honorary Chairman Mike Gregoire, husband of Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Gerth has read every one of the 1,150 e-mails that were sent to the Quarter Advisory Commission and has compiled the list of most popular design suggestions. Mount Rainier, for example, was suggested in 43 percent of the e-mails, with the Space Needle and apples tied for second at 30 percent.

Gregoire has until Sept. 30 to submit three to five finalists to the U.S. Mint, which has the final say on the matter. It's not a quick process: The quarter for this state will be issued in 2007.

Coins for 33 states already have been commemorated in new quarters.

The Mint has certain criteria for the design — from whether the engraving would be easily discernible in a circle about an inch across, to whether it would be too frivolous or offensive, to whether it would depict a commercial icon.

Which could pose a problem for those suggesting the Space Needle.

The landmark is owned by the Space Needle Corp., and the Mint criteria state that "inappropriate design concepts" include commercial or private depictions.

Still, one e-mail said, people come from all over the world to view and visit the Space Needle.

"It is like one of the Seven Wonders of the World. There are many dear memories of times spent at the Needle for many people," said the writer.

Even Mount Rainier has potential problems.

"To us in Washington, when we see Mount Rainier, we recognize it right away. I'm not sure that's the case if you threw a postcard of Mount Rainier to the rest of the United States," said Todd Imhof, one of the commission's 22 members. A Lakewood coin dealer, Imhof represents the American Numismatic Association, the world's largest organization dedicated to the study of coins and other money.

"Massachusetts has a quarter with a rendering of the Minuteman," he said. "That's something that if you saw it lying on your desk, without looking that closely, you'd think that was the Massachusetts one. Would someone outside of this state recognize Mount Rainier?"

Some suggestions would likely be ruled out without much speculation, Gerth said, because they wouldn't meet the Mint's criteria that "designs shall maintain a dignity befitting the Nation's coinage."

Among them:

• "The quarter design should show the UFOs that in 1947 were spotted flying above Mount Rainier."

• "Bigfoot. He's the state's official humanoid. ... Coin collectors the nation and world over would make this the scarcest and most sought-after coin in the Union."

• "A steaming latte cup."

Imhof said one coin sets a standard that all others can strive for: a $20 gold piece first struck in 1907. The Mint has said that many collectors consider it to be "the world's most beautiful coin."

Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one side shows an eagle, and the other a figure of Lady Liberty. It's her depiction for which the coin is best known.

"It's a very majestic figure, with her robes flowing as she strides forward, with the rays of the rising sun in the background, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in the other," Imhof said.

"I think most coin artisans are inspired by it. I hope they find some inspiration for the design for Washington state."

Erik Lacitis: 206-464-2237 or elacitis@seattletimes.com

"Our quarter should show an orca breaching on its side with Mount Rainier in the background. I'm from California originally and when I moved here, those are the two things that really moved me into staying. Unbridled beauty and freedom."

"No apples. Please. And no crowded mishmash of ugly symbols. Let's pick one thing and show that. The most beautiful and timeless designs so far are the simple ones. Washington is the Evergreen State, so let's showcase our evergreens and our mountains. ... But please, no apples."

"It would be wonderful to have the images of The Seattle Space Needle with a killer whale (orca) breaching at the Needle's base. This will reflect on our state's beautiful wildlife, environment and historic features."

"Please represent both sides of the state. Mount Rainier could be the center design. Something such as wheat or an apple or other symbol of the eastern part. The west could be represented by a ferry, a tall fir tree, a rhody, a salmon or such. Please, NO SPACE NEEDLE — it's too transitory and too localized!!!!"