One part of coin collecting I really enjoy is symbolism. (I also enjoy themes of coinage but that's another thread for another day.) It's everywhere in coins! In all honesty, I'm more receptive toward the reverse of the coin in considering what to collect because it is here that symbolism thrives, seeing that the obverse is usually just a person. A couple of my personal favorites would have to be the Mercury Dime...obverse symbolizing freedom of thought while the reverse symbolizes readiness to fight, peace, and authority. In all, a great symbolic coin. However, I'm currently favoring a new coin, the reverse of the 2010 Native American Dollar. It is interesting to research the history of the Iroquois Confederacy/League, the symbols on the Hiawatha Belt, what the number and type of arrows represent toward those five tribes...in all, greatly fascinating. (Yes, I hear the moans of those detesting the modern coins, but to each his own.) So, this brings me to my question, what is your favorite symbolism on a coin, ah what the heck, even paper bills and why?
I've never really thought too much about the symbolism on coinage before, so it's hard to say. I guess if I had to choose one it would be the buffalo nickel. Both sides tell a lot in symbolism. At the time of it's inception both the buffalo and the indian were fighting a losing battle as the west expanded and both were losing their ground literally and figuratively. It's kind of a jesture of what the country was losing instead of boasting about it's progress like what is usually the case. I like the irony in it I suppose. Guy~
the seated design. i feel that it is the most beautiful design ever to be put on a coin. it represents American freedom and liberty. I have a tattoo on my right arm of the obverse (Liberty seated holding a liberty cap and shield with a scrool over it saying iberty) it's just so patriotic, i love it
I like some of the shield designs, representing defense, (our government should be thought of as defending the interests and welfare of all its citizens), I like the eagles as represented on the bust and seated liberty coinage, that eagle has attitude. For the newer issues the torch of freedom on the Roosevelt dime is nice. I did like the short lived design on the obverse of the Jefferson nickel of Jefferson in profile, The reverse of the new sac is alright but it is more representative than idealistic, and I prefer idealistic for coins. I like the mexican coinage with the eagle eating a snake, the canadian maple leafs on their cents is a nice design, I do not think I could say one is my outright favorite, there are many I think are well done and send a good message.
Great post. I particularly enjoy silver half Kennedy's (40%) and the 90% 1964. I dont know why I? I believe its from collecting them since I was a kid. I find them everywhere at stores and banks. I also will love it if the Reagan $50 bill comes out.
Fan of Lady Liberty also. I am very drawn to Lady Liberty on Peace dollars. I find it to be the most beautiful profile of her.
I agree, and totally forgot about Lady Liberty on the Peace Dollar. That is a beautiful portrait (even though she looks like she is speaking to me with that open mouth). Please correct me if I am wrong because I know very little about silver dollars, but didn't the original design have a broken dagger/sword to symbolize the peace after the war instead of the docile eagle? I may be wrong, just thought I read that somewhere in history books.
I love the design of the wheat cent reverse. It was one of the things that introduced and get me hooked on coin collecting. The wheat to me represents the United States in 1909 as a largely agricultural nation. Whether that is the true meaning or not is unclear to me. It still disappoints me that they didn't use that original reverse for at least one year after the 100th anniversary 2009 series had run its course.
I like the symbolism of my Sally Hemings medal! Here's some text from my COA: Sally Hemmings was a quadroon slave owned by Thomas Jefferson and widely believed to have been Jefferson’s mistress while he served as President. She has been the subject of much academic debate, including the possibility that Jefferson fathered at least one of her children. There are no existing images of Sally Hemmings but she has been described as almost white in appearance with long, straight hair. While keeping with this historical description, the obverse features a design emblematic of Liberty, as depicted on a United States coin originally issued during the President’s time in office. The original Liberty has been outfitted with a collar and chain to symbolize Liberty Suppressed. Sally Hemmings lived at Jefferson’s Monticello home where she served as a chambermaid and seamstress from the 1790’s until shortly after his death in 1826. As memorialized in the reverse design of the medal, appraisers at Monticello evaluating Jefferson's estate described the 56-year-old Hemmings as "an old woman worth $50."
There was a change in design. If I remember correctly, symbolism was at the heart of the matter, but I forget if this was it. The designer was Italian.... I remember that.... what else.... ohhh.... I think Lady Liberty was a depiction of his actual wife.
