The Charlotte Department of Transportation and Park It! sponsored a competition to design the 1999 Charlotte Coin. The competition was open to all Central Piedmont Community College graphic arts students. The first prize winner, J. Susan Brown, was presented with a $500 scholarship and the honor of having her hand-drawn design of Charlotte's skyline minted on the 1999 Charlotte Coin. The runner-up design was created by Laura Sparks, who received a $300 scholarship. Penny Ross and Carl Okugo both were awarded honorable mention scholarships of $100.