I'm wondering has anyone ever come across any info pertaining to why the "indian head" design of coins were selected, when during some of the same time Native Americans were looked upon with disdain in some areas of the American frontier? When this design was selected was there any protest or refusal to recognize these designs of the indian head penny or gold pieces etc? I'm new to collecting and I'm just interested to know the history of these coins. I find it very interesting to think of the stories they could tell or the debts they may have settled during their time in circulation.
It is kind of strange how these people were "honored" on our coins,while at the same time having their land,and rights stolen from them. But then again,our country was founded by slave owners fighting for freedom.....just my 2 cents worth.
I happened to be "watching" deadwood while CRHing which brought me to this thought. Thinking about they type of coins that would have been spent in the late 1800s in the territories.
The so-called "Indian Head" penny is actually not even supposed to be an Indian, but rather the Goddess Liberty in a Native American headdress. It was based on the sculptor's daughter, so presumably a young girl of European descent. The obverse of the Buffalo nickel is based on an amalgam of three famous Native Americans, I cannot recall any of their names. Not sure about the gold Indian, but it is a very excellent portrait.
They were Iron Tail, a Sioux, for the cheek and chin, and Two Moons, a Cheyenne, for the hair and headdress. The third, the model for the nose, has been disputed for many years, and many Native Americans have claimed this honor. The most famous was Chief John Big Tree, a Seneca of the Eastern Iroquiois Nation, which is also known as an actor in many western movies. There has long been confusion about his name, Big Tree, but now seems clear that the Big Tree on the coin is not him, but a Kiowa, Adoette Big Tree. Regarding the Indian Head penny, most likely, the model wasn't the daughter of engraver, Sarah Longacre, but a classic statue of Hellenic period, a Venus Accroupie (or crouching Venus) of the Louvre Museum. The same for gold dollar and gold three dollars designed by James Longacre. petronius :smile
