Designs
Candidate designs were created by Mint engravers and artists from the Artistic Infusion Program (AIP). The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) reviewed the designs at their March 13, 2018 meeting, with representatives from the American Legion in attendance. The committee was unhappy with the designs, with senior member Donald Scarinci calling them "artistically the worst designs I have seen here in five years". The CCAC would eventually recommend six designs for the coins chosen by a representative from the Legion, at the suggestion of Scarinci. [4]
The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) recommended designs on March 15 after about 10 minutes of deliberation. The CFA recommended a different design for the reverse of the half eagle after the urging of Legion representatives. The previous design, which had been recommended by the CCAC, depicted a folded US flag. [5] The final designs were approved by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and unveiled at the Legion's 100th national convention in Minneapolis on August 29. [6]
Half dollar
The half dollar was designed by AIP artist Richard Masters. The obverse, sculpted by Mint sculptor-engraver Phebe Hemphill, depicts two children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, with the phrase "I pledge allegiance to the flag..." and one of the children wearing an American Legion hat. The reverse, sculpted by Mint sculptor-engraver Joseph Menna, completes the phrase with "...of the United States of America" and depicts the US flag on a flagpole, with the American Legion emblem above. [6]
Dollar
The obverse of the dollar, designed by AIP artist Paul C. Balan and sculpted by Mint sculptor-engraver Renata Gordon, depicts the American Legion emblem adored by oak leaves and a lily. The reverse, designed by AIP artist Patricia Lucas-Morris and sculpted by Mint sculptor-engraver Michael Gaudioso, depicts crossed US and American legion flags with a fleur-de-lis above. An inscription reads 100 YEARS OF SERVICE [6]
Half eagle
The obverse of the half eagle was designed by AIP artist Chris Costello and sculpted by Hemphill. The obverse features an geometric rim design from the Legion emblem and depicts the Eiffel Tower and a V, as in V for Victory. The reverse, designed by Balan and sculpted by Menna, depicts a soaring bald eagle and the American Legion emblem. [6]
