US Mint Is Releasing Innovation Coins
The U.S. Mint is set to release some special coins in the next few years to honor innovation.
Source: @banknoteworld/X
These $1 coins will be developed for each U.S. state to celebrate the individual innovations each state has brought to the U.S.
Gavin Newsom Asked for Designs for New Californian Coin
Newsom took to X, formerly known as Twitter, toward the end of April 2024 to request his followers make a design for the new Californian $1 coin.
Source: @CAgovernor/X
In the post, he said that he wanted Californians to get involved and create a coin design based on innovation in California.
Coin Designers Focused on the Negatives of California
Struggling to develop any positives of the Golden State, Newsom’s followers decided to focus on California’s negatives.
Source: Randy Jacob/Unsplash
California is facing many struggles and controversies at the moment, including the Californian homelessness crisis.
Coin Designers Addressed California’s Homelessness Problem
Quick to reply, Newsom’s followers submitted their designs, including ones that showcased California’s homelessness problem.
Source: @edwardrussl/X
One designer posted their design of two tents with a washing line hanging between them on X.
Some Pointed out How Weird the Coin Design Competition Is
Others took to X to say how weird they felt the design competition was.
Source: @houmanhemmati/X
However, they still included some of their design suggestions, including a face mask, which links back to the COVID-19 pandemic and the requirement that everyone wear face masks in public.
California’s Human Fecal Matter Problem
Others chose to use the competition to draw attention to California’s human fecal matter problem.
Source: @Richard_Harambe/X
Some designs were posted to X, including one that showed an image of some poop next to the words “San Francisco poop map.”
California’s High Gas Prices
Gas prices have risen everywhere, but it seems to be a particularly prevalent problem in California.
Source: @Lex_Jurgen/X
So much so that people included this on the coin designs, with one user taking to X with their coin design, simply showing an image of current gas prices.
California Leaders vs. Citizens
Many feel that there is currently a large difference in wealth between California’s leaders and its citizens.
Source: @PerezTMx2/X
One user posted their image of the coin on X, showing a split between the citizens living in tents and the leaders living in large houses with swimming pools.
California Is Run by Democrats
California is currently being run by Democrats, something many appear to be unhappy with.
Source: PerezTMx2/X
This led to designs like one posted to X with a yellow warning sign that says, “Caution. Democrat-run city. Enter at your own risk.”
No One Took Newsom’s Coin Design Challenge Seriously
A quick look at the replies to Newsom’s post will tell you that he didn’t get the replies he was hoping for.
Source: Office of the Governor of California/Wikimedia Commons
As it’s looking unlikely any design made by the public will be used, Californians are waiting with bated breath to see what the coin design will be.
Newsom’s Reality Check
With the responses he got, it has been pointed out that Newsom’s reality check might get him to reconsider everything going on in California at the moment.
Source: Office of the Governor of California/Wikimedia Commons
With homelessness rising, human fecal matter in the streets, and high gas prices, these points raised in his replies might get Newsom to sort the problems out, all with the flip of a coin.