I found this image while researching a different topic in ancient coins. What struck me was the image of this Miss in a Phyrgian Cap and wearing a crown of laurel. She could appear on any the classic Liberty US type coins of the 19th or early 20th century. I can imagine this goddess modernized for 1890 and placed on a quarter. We know that the founders of our Republic had ancient coins of their own. We also know the inventory of the Treasury's own coin cabinet. This particular coin, however, is not to my knowledge one of those. Of course, that does not mean that the engravers, etc., could not have seen many many other kinds of coins at museums, mints, etc. Franklin was in London and Paris (as was John Jay ). Reich and Paquet both came from Germany and they were not alone in being skilled European immigrants whose talents went into medals and coins. Whether this coin or any of a 1000+ others became part of their memory, we may never know.
The phrygian cap was used in ancient times on artwork to identify Paris the Trojan hero as a non-Greek. And of course even before that just as typical headwear for the inhabitants of Phrygia. But the phrygian cap's connection with liberty came later. Roman slaves, who had been freed by their masters, wore the cap as a symbol of their new found liberty. And down through the ages the phrygian cap has become synonymous with liberty.
