If an American Citizen sees or hears the words "Lady Liberty," most will immediate equate the phrase with the Statue of "Liberty" (a gift to the United States by France in 1886) standing on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. A numismatist will associate the phrase to the image/s borne on the obverse of the early United States coinage. Bust, sitting, standing or walking. However, there is one constant factor. Most of the world associates Liberty (as a mortal or immortal) as a femine personification (Goddess or Lady). Some Americans across our continent may envision "Lady Liberty" in another form or location, i.e. People in Washington D.C. may point to the "Statue of Freedom" which stands atop the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building; Citizens of Atlanta will direct you to the dome of their Georgia State Capitol Building where she stands proclaiming freedom to all. Texans in Austin proudly declare her presence as "Miss Freedom" atop the dome of their Capitol Building. Citizens of Fort Wayne, Indiana lift their eyes to take a reassuring glance at her spot on the Allen County Courthouse. People in Hackensack, New Jersey see her watching over them as they pass tby the Bergen County Courthouse. Enough of this non-coin chat, let me get down to "Lady Liberty's" revelance to coinage. "Liberty" on coinage didn't start with our coinage. The concept of "Lady Liberty" dates back to the Roman's "Libertas." They minted coinage bearing "Lady Liberty" (Libertas) way back when Rome was a Republic under Farsuleius Mensor as evidenced by this Silver Denaruius minted circa 75 BC (photo courtesy coinarchives): http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=219923&AucID=313&Lot=974 Let's jump a bit forward in time to see other examples of "Lady Liberty" on more modern coins. These will be presented in Alphabetical order so as not to show preference. The country, then its "Lady Liberty" followed by a photo of the coin. Columbia - Libertad Note: "Columbia" is another "Lady Liberty" personification. Used as such in word form as Washington District of Columbia, U.S. cities and capitols as Columbia, South Carolina and the country Columbia located in South America. In 1924 Columbia Puctures adopted a version of the personified "Columbia" as its logo. A draped Bust of "Liberty" (Libertad) adorns the obverse of this Columbia Gold 8 Escudos: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=532719&AucID=387&Lot=1028 Ecuador - Libertad The Republic of Ecuador struck this Gold Escudos which was minted by the Quito Mint in 1842: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=532737&AucID=387&Lot=1046 Great Britain - Brittania Here "Britannia" sits on the reverse of a 1797 (George III)Twopence Cartwheel http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=658172&AucID=481&Lot=1618 Guatemala - Libertad Wreathed Head of "Liberty" (Libertad) proclaims Freedom from the obverse of this 1878 20 Pesos: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=532755&AucID=387&Lot=1064 Finland - Finnish Maiden http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=666656&AucID=486&Lot=101 France - Marianne Minted in Paris in 1908, this 10 Francs coin exhibits a great charicature of "Liberty" (Marianne): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=636648&AucID=459&Lot=1167 But "Marrianne" was featured on coinage of France in the early 1800s: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=662526&AucID=484&Lot=1125 Now you know our dimes of 1916 through 1945 featured a winged helmeted "Liberty" (erroniously referred to as Mercury) on them. Surprise! Look at this French 1929 Gold 100 Francs pattern: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=575428&AucID=421&Lot=2553 Honduras - Libertad How do you like this 1897 Gold 5 Pesos? http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=435971&AucID=323&Lot=267 Italy - Turrita In 1848 Italy struck this 40 Lire Coin bearing "Liberty" (Turrita). http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=340662&AucID=247&Lot=138 Peru - Libertad An 1857 8 Reales has a full frontal figure of "Liberty" (Libertad) on obverse: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=532890&AucID=387&Lot=1199 Poland - Polonia Both silver and gold coins were struck in Poland diring 1925. Here's a photo of a 5 Zlotych Gold pattern "Liberty" (Polonia) on reverse http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=578299&AucID=423&Lot=1031 Switzerland - Helvetia Look! A seated "Liberty" (Helvetia) on this 1850 5 Franken: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=656856&AucID=480&Lot=1 Hope you enjoyed this trivia.... Clinker
