The United States Mint today announced the reverse (tails side) design for the 2013 Native American $1 Coin. The theme for the design is "The Delaware Treaty (1778)." (After declaring independence, the United States signed its first formal treaty with an Indian tribe, the Delaware, at Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, on September 17, 1778.) http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs...ative-American/2013_NA$1_Reverse_line-art.jpg
I like it. It's a shame these won't circulate. I think the general public would like them too, if they would ever see them. As far as the significance of the animals, the only thing I could come up with is; a. You sign a treaty. b. You celebrate with Wild Turkey. c. After a few too many Wild Turkeys, you're howling at the moon. d. The next morning you just want to crawl back in your shell and hide from the world.
I'm warm to it, but I wouldn't buy the coin just because of the design. I have definately seen the Mint do much worse, so this ends up being one of their better try's. I'll give it a 6+ out of ten.
According to the mint, "The 2013 Native American $1 Coin commemorates the Delaware Treaty of 1778. Its reverse design features a turkey, howling wolf and turtle (all symbols of the clans of the Delaware Tribe), and a ring of 13 stars to represent the Colonies. The design includes the required inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and $1. The additional inscriptions include TREATY WITH THE DELAWARES and 1778."
The ironic part of this is that the Delawares(in Ohio no less) were largely ethnically cleansed a few years later, one in keeping with a "Trail of Broken Treaties".
"According to some Native American tales, the Earth Diver turtle swam to the bottom of the water that stretched across the world. He surfaced with the mud which the creator used to make the earth. The turtle is a shore creature, using the land and the water. All shore areas are associated with doorways to the Faerie Realm. The turtle is sometimes known as the keeper of the doors. They were often seen as signs of fairy contact and the promise of fairy rewards." http://www.quijano.net/tq/turtlesymbolism.html
Looks like the turtle has been drinking some Wild Turkey and is howling at the moon.... Best of the designs for 2013 imo, I'll in.
I'll be buying the silver proof set anyway, but I like this design. I've enjoyed the whole Native American series.
I love this design. The wild turkey reminded me to go get a turkey for Thanksgiving. Or I could go the easy way and pop by the deli for some slices. Yeah, I like the second idea better
