I have always been fascinated by the reverse of coins from Haiti. I feel it is one of the more interesting design featured on a coin. The design displays the State Logo of Haiti. Current Logo 1986- to date The design was originally used in 1807 and the current design has been in use since 1986. Looking at the design you will see both sides are mostly identical being separated by a palm tree. Each side shows draped flags,rifles with bayonets,bugles,ship anchors,cannons and cannon balls, powder horns, battle axes, military headgear, and ship masts. Below the palm tree in a drum. The top of the tree shows a Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom. Above the ribbon is a broken chain representing the broken chain of slavery. The motto on the ribbon states "L'Union Fait La Force' which is French for "Unity makes Strength". The Logo shows a mound of Green grass. The 16 levels on the palm tree are rumored to honor President Lincoln, our 16th President, for saving the union. The above logo was originally used from 1807-1849. and from 1859-1964 From 1849-1859 a new Coat of Arms was introduced by General Faustin Solouque who crowned himself Emperor Faustin I. The original symbol was restore when he was forced to leave Haiti. The 1807 Logo was used until 1964 when it was replaced with a new Logo. The above log was used from 1964-1986 The design on the coin differs slightly from the current Logo. Stone wall in the background. No chain and the cap missing from the top of the tree. It appears to be a combination of the 1964-1986 Logo and the 1986-Current Logo. Sometime you can find interesting thing when you read a good coin.
Definitely a great write up. Haiti is a very underrated country. It has a rich numismatic history, was the second democracy in the Western Hemisphere, and with the possible exception of Nicaragua has been the biggest victim of U.S Imperialism through much of its history. I don't own any meaningful Haitian numismatic pieces but I do own a nice commemorative which in my opinion has a superb design!
The country of Malta changed it's Coat of Arms several times while under the protection of British rule and as a British Colony. The designs did not vary much but changed with the addition of crowns and badges. 1714-1801 1816-1837 A major design change was made in 1964 when Malta declared independence in 1964. It shows a Maltese flag supported by two Dolphins.The palm branch represents victory and the olive twig represents peace. The crown is shaped like a fort. 1964-1975 This shield was used until 1975. At that time the Prime Minister, Dom Mintoff, erroneously decided that the crown represented royalty and wanted it removed. He selected a class of art students to redesign the Coat of Arms. The students had no idea that the Prime Minister would personally select the design and that it would be used nationally. The design was adopted 7 months after Malta became a republic in 1975. 1975-1988 The new design shows a coastal scene with a Maltese boat, a shovel and pitchfork, and a cactus plant known as an Opuntia. Below was the new name "Repubblika Ta' Malta"(Republic of Malta) The design was somewhat controversial since it was not heraldic. After Mintoff was ousted in the 1987 elections, a simplified version of the 1964 Arms was readopted. 1988-current Read your coins and learn History.
