The old coins were indeed cool compared to the coins issued after WWII, although the Barbers were kinda WTF? I do think the state quarters are very cool.
My favorite coin is an Indian head 1863, Civil War era. Amazing to hold it and think of the other people who held it before me, especially in the 1800's.
The Barbers really were WTF? Augustus Saint-Gaudens said that a teenager with two art classes behind her could have done better, then again he designed the Saint-Gaudens beautiful and iconic gold coin! Nothing feels better than holding an old coin and thinking of who could have held it before you!
Did Gaudens also design the Walking Liberty? I forgot the shield nickel too. Definitely some hit & misses back in the days.
Ya, holding those old coins is very rewarding.
Walkers were Adolph A. Weinman's beauty. The Barber's were the folly of Charles E. Barber who just wasn't nearly as talented as the other two men in my personal opinion...
He may have been talented, but didn't have the vision the other greats had. Cheers!