The State of California’s News (press release):

For California’s American Innovation Coin, Governor Gavin Newsom has recommended world-renowned innovator Steve Jobs. The coin, which will be minted by the U.S. Mint, highlights California’s legacy as a global hub of innovation.

The American Innovation $1 Coin Program, launched in 2018 by the U.S. Mint, celebrates the spirit of ingenuity that defines America. Each state, territory, and the District of Columbia is honored with creating a unique coin recognizing an innovation or innovator from their region.

I applaud the selection, but I wasn’t familiar with the American Innovation $1 Coin Program, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. A perusal suggests most coins depict innovations closely associated with an individual, with designs focused on the innovation, not the person.

Governor Newsom is quoted:

Innovation and California are synonymous, and Steve Jobs encapsulates the unique brand of innovation that California runs on: innovation not driven by business alone, but as a vehicle to forever change the world.

I imagined an image of Steve, surrounded by representations of his innovations: the Apple II, Macintosh, and iPhone; or perhaps a menu bar, mouse and pointer, or (dare I hope?) Clarus the Dogcow.

That does not appear to be the plan for this coin, according to The Mercury News:

The designed (sic) preferred by the governor’s office and Jobs’ family pictured a younger Jobs sitting cross-legged amid a California landscape with oak trees and rolling hills, along with the inscription “Make Something Wonderful.” Myers said that image better conveyed Jobs’ love of California nature, which was an important part of who he was. Other designs incorporated Jobs’ image with circuit designs and keyboards and one just featured his name with a tree growing circuit-like branches.

OK… more of a “California inspires innovation” vibe, with Steve as one of California’s most recognizable innovators, I guess?

But the committee opted to recommend a design with a more familiar image of Jobs — older and wearing glasses and his trademark black turtleneck. The design — which isn’t final and could be altered before the coin is minted in 2026 — is fittingly simple and elegant.

A silhouette of Steve in glasses and turtleneck makes sense; it’s probably the most recognizable version of him.

But to represent just Steve feels misguided. The press release includes this passage:

By focusing on who he was innovating for – other people – Jobs was able to use technology to connect people to each other and to the broader world, bringing people onto the same level by providing them with equal access. And that approach was built on a willingness to try new ideas and push the boundaries of what was possible – an approach that embodies the California spirit.

A singular image of Steve does not suggest using “technology to connect people.” It focuses too much on the man, not his work.

Compare this proposed design to coins from Arkansas, Pennsylvania, or the especially evocative “tele-phone” design from Massachusetts. Each celebrates the person through their innovation.

Since the design remains subject to alteration prior to minting, I hope a more compelling design is created. As it is, they chose the right man, but the wrong imagery.