There are interesting lady models for the early gold and silver U.S. coins, we have the Flowing Hair half and full dollars, all of the "bust" designs of mature looking matronly women. Here are a few of the types: http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=2735&lot=2105 http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=2678&lot=2055 http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=2331&lot=1197 http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=1613&lot=1247 Were these coins "modelled"? What do these designs say about cultural standards of the time? Was the U.S. trying to set itself apart from Great Brittain by its coinage, which tended to feature its reigning monarch? Thanks for those in the know on these questions. Too bad numismatics is not taught in the curriculum of most schools.
I do not believe the early coins were modeled, at least I've never read of it. Later on, sure they were.There are many stories about it. But in all cases the figure of Liberty is supposed to be allegorical. Were they trying to set us apart from European nations ? You bet they were. Cultural standards ? Dunno on that one. Back then cultural standards were pretty much accepted as a given, and rarely were they not adhered to.
here is the info I found. http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/Early-Dollars-key-dates.html [h=3]While This Coin Was Minted...[/h]Ann Willing Bingham was the Philadelphia woman after whom Liberty was modeled for Draped Bust coinage. This 1797 painting of Mrs. Willing at age 33 was completed by Gilbert Stuart. She died three years later.
The Liberty cap coins were modeled after the head on the Libertas Americanus (sp) medal made in France. The flowing hair is basically the Liberty cap wihout the cap. I do not know of any modeling for the turban head gold. The Classic head cents and half cents were supposedly based on John Reich's "fat mistress" but there is no solid evidence. As mentioned the draped bust were basted on a painting of Ann Bingham of Philadelphia by Gilbert Stuart.
Thanks for that. I would think that all men and women figures on coins would be inspired by either an actual figure or a composite; the artist if working from his/her imagination is going to reconstruct an idealized figure or person.
Hi there. I was just reading about the Libertas Americana tonight and came on here to ask about good prices for some of the silver replicas that were issued. Anyway, I found a pdf that went into some detail about the Libertas Americana and it gave the name of Sarah Wright as a ***possible*** model. Here is the link to the pdf: http://www.coincats.com/Libertas 08feb10 small.pdf
