In my opnion, the only thing that makes a coin legitimate is if it has use or not. This is what any coin should focus on. Mainstream doesn't care about innovation, mainstream doesn't care about pre-mines.
They don't understand, all they want is something they can use to make or save money.

Here's another contribution of mine ; make the name of short. Pronounceable. Try saying "MarieCurieCoin" a few times in a row. Do you think it'll catch on ?