I have to agree on both counts. On first glance, it looks like a woman in Mom-jeans straddling the Earth. After a moment, the left foot appears, then the folds in the gown, then the thing behind her head, etc, etc. Sorry, I generally like Mr. Mercanti's work but not this one.
She's riding the earth in the more lady-like side saddle fashion. I'm guessing the thing behind her head is either the large island of Hawaii, or a giant asteroid plummeting toward earth.
Okay, I probably posted this earlier in the thread, but in the spirit of keeping things going......(I'd have to go back into the flash drives and I ain't about to do that at this late hour).... Not mine.
I like this modern commemorative primarily because of the artwork but also because it is the first Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island commemorative half issued. My camera doesn't do justice to the cameo of this proof but in hand the fields are jet black
One of my favorite modern commemorative designs. Three of my four grandparents came to this great country through Ellis Island.