Thought this would make a fun and beautiful thread (I also started a similar one in the paper money section): Post your favorite symbol or motif that appears on any coin money (doesn't matter what country it is from). Here is one of my favorites to get us started: Russian crown atop a sword and scepter crossed through an orb... just a powerful symbol of monarchy, and ironically the last Russia had seen.
Mine is ugly but important. A very rare example of a cross from the eastern church. This church is today extinct, but at one time had congregations throughout the middle east, central asia, and China. One by one, either by Chinese reactionaries or Islamic conquests, these churches disappeared into history books. This is a Sogdian coin that rarely has a cross on the obverse. LIke I said, ugly but one of my favorite coins.
I would say the Fasces with an olive branch on the reverse side of a Mercury Dime. I like it for its symbolism: The Fasces represents America's preparedness for war, yet the Olive branch suggests the constant strive for world peace. I honestly think Adolph Alexander Weinman was a brilliant artist and great coin designer.
Certainly more attractive than one that came later ... Fortunately that was on a €10 collector coin (thus a one-time issue) only - see attachment. As for symbols that I find attractive, see my avatar. But personifications of liberty often look good too. Christian
