Have you ever looked at the details on a Jackie Robinson dollar coin? It’s amazing what the artists of the US Mint are able to accomplish in such a small space as the face of a coin. Yes, it’s the dollar, but still it’s a small space.
For the coin commemorating Jackie Robinson, the artist shows him sliding into base. But, just look at the detail.
Look at Mr. Robinson’s clenched right hand. It’s as if that clenched fist can help him slide safely into home plate. You can clearly see the fingers curled into the palm along with the thumb. His arm muscles and tendons, strengthened from his workouts and play with the team, show on the larger view.
On the opposite side, he throws his left hand out to help balance him as he slides into base. Again, the artist shows the curled fingers, but this time, you can also see the thumbnail.
At the top of the image, the face shows Mr. Robinson’s focus and determination to score. Looking closely, you can see the seams in his cap with its curved bill along with the “B” on the front for his Brooklyn team.
On a broader scale, there’s just as much if not more detail on his uniform. “Dodger” for his team shows on the front of his shirt along with his belt threaded through its loops on his pants. Even a couple of buttons are visible on his shirt. Of course, an active player’s uniform has wrinkles associated with his movement, in this case a slide into home plate.
Following down the coin for the rest of the story, his right foot kisses home plate as his left knee and foot hide behind the dirt and dust from his slide. With his determination and focus, he succeeds in gaining another run for his team.
Looking at the whole picture, this commemorative coin honors Jackie Robinson by telling the story of his ball playing successes.
In summary, the US Mint’s artists provide wonderful insights into their subjects on small round disks. Their skill and artistry frequently astounds. No wonder people like to collect coins!