 The Treasury announced the new design on December 19 , 1921 . Photographs of Baker and de Francisci examining the final plaster model appeared in newspapers , along with written descriptions of the designs , since the Treasury at that time took the position that it was illegal for photographs of a United States coin to be printed in a newspaper . Secretary Mellon gave formal approval to the design on December 20 . As it would take the Mint several days to produce working dies , the first strike of the new coins was scheduled for December 29 . 
