Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="Clinker, post: 1262318, member: 6229"]Note: All coin photos courtesy of The Coin Page unless noted otherwise.　There are several instances of coins bearing examples of a Coin Designer's Artistic License, but to keep this a "trivia" post We are will check only the Artistic License used on our coins' legend.　All through early U.S. coinage the legend was spelled with capital letters including the word "OF" as evidenced by the following coin photos.　CENT (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=nmc1/us-12&desc=USAkm12largecent(1793)FlowingHair/Wreath&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=nmc1/us-12&desc=USAkm12largecent(1793)FlowingHair/Wreath&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=nmc1/us-12&desc=USAkm12largecent(1793)FlowingHair/Wreath&query=USA</a>　FLYING EAGLE CENT (coincommunity.com photo):　<a href="http://www.coincommunity.com/us_small_cents/flying_eagle.asp" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coincommunity.com/us_small_cents/flying_eagle.asp" rel="nofollow">http://www.coincommunity.com/us_small_cents/flying_eagle.asp</a>　INDIAN HEAD CENT (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-1c860&desc=USAkm901cent(1860-1864)IndianHeadcu-ni&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-1c860&desc=USAkm901cent(1860-1864)IndianHeadcu-ni&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-1c860&desc=USAkm901cent(1860-1864)IndianHeadcu-ni&query=USA</a>　Two Cents (worldcoingallery.com photo)　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-2c&desc=USAkm942cents(1864-1872)&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-2c&desc=USAkm942cents(1864-1872)&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-2c&desc=USAkm942cents(1864-1872)&query=USA</a>　Three Cents (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-3cn&desc=USAkm953cents(1865-1889)nickel&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-3cn&desc=USAkm953cents(1865-1889)nickel&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-3cn&desc=USAkm953cents(1865-1889)nickel&query=USA</a>　Half Dime (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c853&desc=USAkm76halfdime(1853-1855)SeatedLibertyw/arrows&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c853&desc=USAkm76halfdime(1853-1855)SeatedLibertyw/arrows&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c853&desc=USAkm76halfdime(1853-1855)SeatedLibertyw/arrows&query=USA</a>　SHIELD NICKEL (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c866&desc=USAkm965cents(1866-1867)Shieldw/rays&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c866&desc=USAkm965cents(1866-1867)Shieldw/rays&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c866&desc=USAkm965cents(1866-1867)Shieldw/rays&query=USA</a>　LIBERTY HEAD OR "V" NICKEL (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c884&desc=USAkm1125cents(1883-1912)LibertyHeadw/cents&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c884&desc=USAkm1125cents(1883-1912)LibertyHeadw/cents&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-5c884&desc=USAkm1125cents(1883-1912)LibertyHeadw/cents&query=USA</a>　BUFFALO NICKEL　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-498.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-498.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-498.html</a>　JEFFERSON NICKEL:<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1857.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1857.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1857.html</a>　2004 LOUISANA PURCHASE NICKEL (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img11/us-5c04a&desc=USAkm3605cents(2004)LouisianaPurchase&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img11/us-5c04a&desc=USAkm3605cents(2004)LouisianaPurchase&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img11/us-5c04a&desc=USAkm3605cents(2004)LouisianaPurchase&query=USA</a>　2004 KEEL BOAT NICKEL (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img12/us-5c04b&desc=USAkm3615cents(2004)Keelboat&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img12/us-5c04b&desc=USAkm3615cents(2004)Keelboat&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img12/us-5c04b&desc=USAkm3615cents(2004)Keelboat&query=USA</a>　2005 OCEAN IN VIEW NICKEL (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img13/us-5c05b&desc=USAkm3695cents(2005)OceaninView&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img13/us-5c05b&desc=USAkm3695cents(2005)OceaninView&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img13/us-5c05b&desc=USAkm3695cents(2005)OceaninView&query=USA</a>　2006 TO DATE JEFFERSON NICKELS (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img13/us-5c06&desc=USAkm3815cents(2006--)Forward-facingJefferson&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img13/us-5c06&desc=USAkm3815cents(2006--)Forward-facingJefferson&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img13/us-5c06&desc=USAkm3815cents(2006--)Forward-facingJefferson&query=USA</a>　MERCURY DIME:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-8729.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-8729.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-8729.html</a>　ROOSEVELT DIME:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2755.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2755.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2755.html</a>　20 CENT (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-20c&desc=USAkm10920cents(1875-1878)SeatedLiberty&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-20c&desc=USAkm10920cents(1875-1878)SeatedLiberty&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-20c&desc=USAkm10920cents(1875-1878)SeatedLiberty&query=USA</a>　BUST QUARTERS (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=nmc/us-db25&desc=USAkm36quarterdollar(1804-1807)DrapedBustHeraldicEagle&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=nmc/us-db25&desc=USAkm36quarterdollar(1804-1807)DrapedBustHeraldicEagle&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=nmc/us-db25&desc=USAkm36quarterdollar(1804-1807)DrapedBustHeraldicEagle&query=USA</a>　LIBERTY HEAD QUARTER (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c892&desc=USAkm114quarterdollar(1892-1916)LibertyHead(Barber)&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c892&desc=USAkm114quarterdollar(1892-1916)LibertyHead(Barber)&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c892&desc=USAkm114quarterdollar(1892-1916)LibertyHead(Barber)&query=USA</a>　Standing Liberty Quarter (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c16&desc=USAkm141quarterdollar(1916,1917)StandingLiberty(variety1)&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c16&desc=USAkm141quarterdollar(1916,1917)StandingLiberty(variety1)&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c16&desc=USAkm141quarterdollar(1916,1917)StandingLiberty(variety1)&query=USA</a>　WASHINGTON QUARTER (worldcoingallery.com photo):　<a href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c32&desc=USAkm164quarterdollar(1932-1964)Washingtonsilver&query=USA" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c32&desc=USAkm164quarterdollar(1932-1964)Washingtonsilver&query=USA" rel="nofollow">http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/display.php?image=img4/US-25c32&desc=USAkm164quarterdollar(1932-1964)Washingtonsilver&query=USA</a>　By now you get the picture. To acquaint you with the concept of Coin Designer's Artistic License, look at this 1909 V.D.B. Lincoln Cent's reverse and note that all the letters in "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" are capital letters.　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2505.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2505.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2505.html</a>　All Lincoln Cents 1909-1958 carry that "all capital letters" concept, but Frank Gasparro used his Artistic License to deviate from the norm.　You know Frank Gasparro was the designer of the Lincoln Memorial reverse Cent first struck in 1959. His initials FG are to the right of the memorial. See what he did to the legend:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3889.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3889.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3889.html</a>　Yes, that's a lower case small "o" changing the legend to "UNITED STATES oF AMERICA."　Was he the only coin designer to do this? No. Keep reading and you'll see more examples of a Coin Designer's Artistic License with the legend on U.S. coins. Only a few use a small lower case "o" while others use a larger lower case "o" which is almost as large as the capital "F." Sometimes the top of a large lower case "O" is even with the top of the Capital "F." Sometimes the bottoms are even, but a few are centered with no eveness at top or bottom.　Check these out and see for yourself:　A.A. WEINMAN'S WALKING LIBERTY HALF:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1357.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1357.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1357.html</a>　JOHN R. SINNOCK'S FRANKlIN HALF DOLLAR:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3779.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3779.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3779.html</a>　ANTHONY DE FRANCISI'S PEACE DOLLAR:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3695.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3695.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-3695.html</a>　BELA LYON PRATT'S GOLD QUARTER EAGLE (coincollector.org photo):　<a href="http://coincollector.org/vault/coin.html?cat=8&id=36" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://coincollector.org/vault/coin.html?cat=8&id=36" rel="nofollow">http://coincollector.org/vault/coin.html?cat=8&id=36</a>　Some Commemorative Half Dollar strikes bear a lower case "o":　GEORGE T. MORGAN'S ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL HALF DOLLAR:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-468.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-468.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-468.html</a>　CHESTER BEACH'S 1925 LEXINGTON-CONCORD SESQUICENTENNIAL HALF DOLLAR:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2894.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2894.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2894.html</a>　JO MORA'S 1925-S CALIFORNIA DIAMOND JUBILEE HALF DOLLAR:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-704.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-704.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-704.html</a>　JULIET MAY FRAZER'S 1828 HAWAIIAN SWSQUICENTENNIAL HALF DOLLAR:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/large.php?tImageId=2124" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/large.php?tImageId=2124" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/large.php?tImageId=2124</a>　HOWARD KENNETH WEINMAN'S 1936 LONG ISLAND TERCENTENARY HALF DOLLAR:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-858.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-858.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-858.html</a>　There are only two more coins left for this "trivia" on Coin Designer's Artistic License. Both are commemnorative in nature but were struck for circulation. I left them for last because the Artistic License involves both letters of the word "of."　JACK L. AHR'S OBVERSE DESIGN OF THE BICENTENNIAL QUARTER:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-858.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-858.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-858.html</a>　JAMIE FRANKI'S 2005 AMERICAN BISON REVERSE NICKEL:　<a href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-7150.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-7150.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-7150.html</a>　Hope you enjoyed...　Did you know?　Clinker[/QUOTE]

Create my FREE Account!

Log in or Sign up

Reply to Thread

Useful Searches