An excerpt from the North American Coins & Prices - A Guide to U.S., Canadian and Mexican Coins states: "Glory: A heraldic term for stars, or other devices placed as if in the sky or luminous." Several articles have been written about coins and the artistic devices designers use to create Glory on a coin. Even I posted a trivia article in the past. This time let's look at some of the newer U.S. coins exhibiting Glory on one or both sides. Out first Glory coin was struck in 2004 honoring Thomas Edison and uses a unique way to show the radiance of the light bulb featured on its reverse: http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/commems/us-362.html This 2006 Benjamin Franklin Commemorative uses a setting sun radiating long rays from its under side to represent Glory on the coin's reverse: http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/commems/us-388.html Our final $1 commemorative coin (American Bald Eagle) was minted in 2008 and uses a full radiating sun as the Glory devise on its reverse: http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/commems/us-439.html The silver American Eagle bullion coins (1986 to date) feature a rising sun emanating its rays from about an 8:00 position on their obverses: http://www.usmint.gov/downloads/pressroom/2011-SilverEagle-proof-obv_720.jpg The gold American Eagle bullion coins (1986 to date) feature a Sunburst as the Glory device with the Sun's rays radiating upward behind the standing Liberty on the coin's obverse: http://www.usmint.gov/downloads/pressroom/2011_AE_Gold_Eagle_proof_obv_800.jpg You've already seen the Platinum Eagle bullion coins produced since 1997 in 1 ounce and its fractional counterparts of 1/10, 1/4 and 1/2 ounce amounts. You know the mints have used the same designs on both sides of the coins right up to this year. To refresh your recollection here's photos of a 2002: REVERSE: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-4188.html OBVERSE: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-4189.html The MMIX (2009) Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coins exhibit Glory as a radiant Sun on both of their sides: http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14708&langId=-1 Here's some bonus photos of world coins bearing Glory (coinarchives.com): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1053322&AucID=976&Lot=1508&Val=92f4dda338d174e3e5e747378e3c92fe http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1031594&AucID=949&Lot=1405&Val=b765b1983370a2fcfe59aabe9e95b328 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1031595&AucID=949&Lot=1406&Val=6185bd0b463ddcd6435c99c3084e386d http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1031779&AucID=949&Lot=1590&Val=9d8c7d4858c1cf81c19f4b03f92ce8a6 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1032003&AucID=949&Lot=1814&Val=f650e8374bcfc5bf1ae2194d7029f652 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1032050&AucID=949&Lot=1861&Val=832dfa79bd95fd9bd849cdc4b89f20e4 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1032087&AucID=949&Lot=1898&Val=0e11328efa265973a1fed87f8d6e6be7 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=974185&AucID=905&Lot=2095&Val=8f9eb726954c3f151095be41467ed372 Radiant Rooster? http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=980168&AucID=912&Lot=445&Val=83dde74b66c4be752dbbb2c51d580718 Noah's Dove of Peace Radiating? http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1030501&AucID=952&Lot=396&Val=875dda5a779fa5af187c2560d33cef5e Radiant Sun on Seated Liberty's Shield: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1030076&AucID=950&Lot=407&Val=c363222b33bce1a323a2167d5209adc4 Hope you enjoyed your vitamin D... Clinker
Guess the last three "sub-headlines" were somewhat ironic. Anyway, the dove on the Papal State coin can also be found on later Sede Vacante coins from the Vatican. Here is one http://www.500lireargento.com/images/500_lire_sede_vacante_1963_fronte.jpg from 1963 http://www.500lireargento.com/images/500_lire_sede_vacante_1963_retro.jpg for example. Interesting post, Clinker, thanks! Christian
Hi Siwash: So glad to read your comment and "Thank You" for pointing out the true symbol of the Dove on the Vatican coin... Clinker
