A symbol for our state

Beginning in 1999, the U.S. Mint began its 50-state coin series, with five states commemorated annually in the order of their admission to the union. Starting with Delaware, most recently with Kansas and continuing this year with West Virgina, each state gets its chance to have a symbol or slogan on the reverse of President Washington. In 2007, Washington, the 42d state, will be the second coin issued, along with Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Hawaii, as 50th state, will complete the series in 2008.

The time has come for state leaders and a committee to determine just what will appear on the coin with Washingtons on both sides of the coin. Finalists have emerged, and they are predictably plain and cliche -- Mount Rainier, a salmon, an apple and the outline of the state. Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Cathy Sorbo takes a shot at the choices and offers a few that should have been included. It's worth a read for a good chuckle.

My suggestion: A coin like the ancint "piece of eight" clay coin. But this one would be grooved down the middle, easily divided as west and east. One could say that one half might spend better in one side of the state or the other -- surely the westerners would say they are subsidizing the bumpkins of the east, while the rural easterners would scoff at having to pay for the half of teh state they never get over to use.

It could be the perfect solution.

-- Wenatchee, Wash.