Study for 5 cent coin, 1965

In this spritely spruce tree design for the five-cent coin, young, delicate branches reach upwards and outwards in spontaneous directions. The artist provides insight into the creation of this drawing in a comment on the back of the panel that reads: “I decided that the nickel material was most suited to a linear design, rather than a modulated one, and selected a spruce tree as being common, and having certain celebrative connotations.” In addition to being a popular choice for Christmas trees, this abundant conifer is one of our country’s primary sources of paper, pulp, and lumber. Colville uses white and black paint to illustrate the three-dimensional appearance of the design in low relief.