U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the Vicksburg National Military Park quarter design.
The U.S. Mint presented four finalist designs for the 2011 Vicksburg National Military Park quarter to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, the Commission of Fine Arts, the Secretary of the Interior, and the state of Mississippi for consideration. Vicksburg and the park are located on a prominent bend of the Mississippi River, and the capture of Vicksburg by Union military and naval forces was a pivotal event of the Civil War.
The Citizens Advisory group favored design #2 depicting the Union ironclad U.S.S. Cairo – recommending its “virtue of showcasing the historical significance of the Navy in the Civil War,” as well as the importance of the Mississippi River throughout the conflict. The Commission of Fine Arts supported #4 featuring Memorial Arch at the entrance to the park. The Commission discouraged the use of the partial sculptures or memorials seen in designs #1 and #3 as not being easily recognizable features to those familiar with or visiting the park.
After receiving input from all required entities, the Director of the U.S. Mint will make final recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury – who will make the final design decision.
