Why the fascination with Indians or Native Americans on US Coinage. During this period they were either being wiped out or portrayed in comical satire. Here are three examples (OK, Two, the IHC is Liberty) and as you know there are many other ones as well. Also, I think the Lincoln was the first coin to feature a president. Bone
They felt guilty about what they where doing so they put them on the coins, or it was to showoff the power over the natives. I don't know!
Strangely enough, Native Americans did not make an appearance on American coins again until the Sacajawea dollar was released in 2000. Randy L' Teton, the model for the Sacajawea is one HOTTIE in real life.
It is sadly ironic, isn't it? American Indians were on much of the most beautiful US coinage of the 19th and 20th Centuries. Gold pieces instantly come to mind- the Eagle, the Half and Quarter Eagles, and the gold dollar coins- absolutely stunning. But have you noticed that the larger denominations (Trade Dollar, Morgan, Double Eagle) all had Miss Liberty? I've often wondered if there was any symbolism intended in those decisions. Still, I think the American Indian was chosen because of the beauty in the depiction. What was the last coin to have an American Indian on it before the Sacagawea dollar, the Buffalo nickel?
On regular issues, yes he was. In fact he's the first real person potrayed on any US coin, not counting commemoratives.
As a side note, there was in the neighborhood of 100 different Indian head dies used to make Civil War tokens. (Too tired to go count them.)
