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| Slot: |
****INSPIRATIONAL**** *****ALLEGORIES***** |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
HALF DOLLARS - CAPPED BUST, LETTERED EDGE |
| Item Description: |
50C 1831 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS PrAg |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
COINS FROM AROUND THE WORLD FEATURING NATIONAL PERSONIFICATIONS AND ALLEGORIES - One of many things I enjoy about numismatics is the use of allegorical designs on the coinage of western nations. Of particular interest is the use of ancient Greek and Roman mythology to represent western philosophies on modern coins. Another point of interest is that most national personifications employ feminine images, rather than masculine ones. These facts are my “inspiration” for creating this signature set entitled “Inspirational Ladies”.
In this section of the set, you will find coins that feature the goddesses Libertas (Lady Liberty), Britannia, Minerva, Nike, Lustitia (Roman goddess of justice), and Erato (one of nine daughters of Zeus called a muse). National personifications include Helvetia, Marianne, Fjallkonan, and Italia.
To mark this section of my collection, I have chosen three historical pictures, two of which feature Columbia. Columbia is a feminine personification meaning “the land of Columbus or the land Columbus discovered”. The first picture is a patriotic poster from World War 1 that features Columbia dressed in the stars and stripes. The other picture features Columbia with a warship bonnet, signifying the United States as an emerging world power in 1901.
The third picture, a Russian poster portrays an alliance or “triple entente” between Russia, France, and Great Britain during World War 1. Featured on the poster are “Marianne”, “Mother Russia”, and “Britannia”.
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| Slot: |
Industry and Arts |
| Origin/Country: |
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| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
57mm 1876 J-CM-11 WM US CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 61 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This medal is an 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition Medal designed by William Barber.
To help finance the exposition, Congress authorized the striking of commemorative medals in June of 1874. Overall, there were two different medals, each struck in a variety of metallic compositions. One medal was 38mm in diameter and the other 57mm. My Coin of the Month is the 57mm Julian CM-11 medal struck in white metal and graded MS-61 by NGC. White metal is an alloy composed of 82 parts tin, 12 parts antimony, and 6 parts copper. Mintages for the 57mm medal include a unique gold medal, nine silver medals, 7000 bronze medals, 2100 gilded copper medals, and 583 white metal medals. The original issue price for the 57mm medals ranged between two and five dollars.
Amidst a backdrop of economic depression, political scandal (William Magear Boss Tweed), and widespread tent meetings held by evangelist Dwight L Moody, America was celebrating 100 years of independence. Other events influencing American culture in 1876 were Custers defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn, the Transcontinental Express traversing the North American continent in 83 hours and 39 minutes, Colorados admission to the Union as the 38th state, and the forming of baseballs National League.
To celebrate her centennial birthday on a grand scale, America was throwing the world a party by hosting her first World Exposition. Held at Fairmount Park, the exposition covered 285 acres with 250 pavilions. There were 37 nations represented and over nine million people attending the exposition held from May 10, 1876 to November 10, 1876. Of certainty, the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition lived up to its billing and did not disappoint.
On display for the entire world to see, representing Americas ascendency in mechanization was the telephone, the typewriter, and the Corliss Steam engine that provided power for virtually all the exhibits. These innovations in technology developed by American inventors ushered in a gilded age of industrialization from which grew a prosperous American middle class.
This then is where my medal so rich in history and allegorical content comes into play. Through the allegories represented on my medal, America was showing the world how liberty and freedom maximize human innovation and ingenuity to provide a prosperous life for the most people within a society. Furthermore, where the human spirit is free from the shackles of tyranny, liberty and freedom provides the fertile ground in which the arts thrive and grow. Among American arts is the literary art masterpiece, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer written by Mark Twain and published in 1876.
The reverse of my medal illustrates Lady Liberty rising from a kneeling position with a drawn sword preparing for battle against the enemies of liberty. Her left arm reaches towards a glory of thirteen stars in which her gaze is fixated. From the united circle of stars representing the thirteen colonies, Lady Liberty receives her strength and resolve. Underneath Liberty is the date 1776 representing the year of our Declaration of Independence. Around the perimeter of the reverse are the words of Virginian Richard Lee to the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776. These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States.
Lady Liberty with her sword sheathed is the central image on the obverse of my medal. Resting against Lady Libertys left leg is a Union Shield representing the United States. Kneeling to Lady Libertys left is a feminine allegorical representation with a palette of paints at her feet representing the arts. Kneeling to Lady Libertys right is another feminine representation. With an anvil at her side, she is illustrated holding a hammer and a large gear to represent industry. Together Lady Liberty is crowning Arts and Industry with laurel wreaths to represent victory, fame, and achievement. Etched on the platform of which Lady Liberty is standing is the date 1876. Around the perimeter are the words, In Commemoration of the Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence. Thus, this medal represents the first 100 years of American history by first illustrating Americas fight to obtain liberty and 100 years later reaping the rewards of liberty.
In summary, I wish I could say that America had always lived up to her promise of liberty. Yet in 1876, the newly freed slaves did not fully enjoy the guarantees of Liberty. Neither did Native Americans who were herded into reservations. In fact, their internment led to the death of George Custer at the early age of 36. Nevertheless, in spite of these wrinkles in American history, nothing takes away from the truth of Liberty. Therefore, no matter where in the world Liberty is espoused, people prosper. This then is not about governments or governmental systems, its not about money either, but about individual liberty and the right of self-determination. Liberty then is precious and needs protection because the enemies to liberty are always on the prowl to enslave people under the yoke of tyranny, be they governments, religions, or dictators.
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| Slot: |
Three Graces |
| Origin/Country: |
Great Britain |
| Design Description: |
Crown Medal |
| Item Description: |
Copper Crown 1879 Dated INA Retro Issue X#81b |
| Grade: |
PCGS PF 66 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
For their 2001 auction, Spink & Sons commissioned INA ltd of Birmingham to strike various fantasy coins. Many of these fantasy coins featured designs that were never officially issued by any governmental entity. My medal is designed by Donald Golder and features an image of Queen Victoria on the obverse and the Three Graces on the reverse. This crown-sized (38mm) 1879 dated medal was struck in silver and bronze. The bronze version has a Krause catalog number of X#81a and a mintage of 790.
No crowns were officially issued by the UK in 1879. Furthermore, the likeness of Queen Victoria on my medal has never been used on a coin. It has, however, been used on a postage stamp. The 1840 one penny stamp, nicknamed "Penny Black," is the world's first adhesive postage stamp. It features a left-facing profile bust of Queen Victoria. The medal's obverse legend combined with the reverse translated from Latin reads, "Victoria by God's grace makes them become one." The Three Graces on the reverse reinterpreted from Greek mythology by the original engraver, William Wyon, represent Ireland, England, and Scotland.
The 1801 "Act of the Union" united Great Britain (England and Scotland) and Ireland under the United Kingdom. William Wyon's Three Graces was designed to appeal to a sense of national pride after the hard times relating to the UK's defeat of Napoleon. His pattern coin dating 1817 was never issued. With only 50 known patterns, this coin is occasionally offered at auction in the six figures. Check out this beauty offered by Heritage. https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-george-iii-silver-proof-pattern-three-graces-crown-1817-pr65-ngc-/a/3096-30318.s?
Though my fantasy coin isn't an exact replica of the original pattern, the imagery is the same. Instead of a rudder and palm frond, my medal displays a ship on the waters to allegorize English dominance over the seas. Instead of using a lyre to represent Ireland, this fantasy coin uses a shamrock.
In Greek mythology, the Three Charites or Graces were generally known for fertility. They are believed to be the daughters of Zeus and Hera. One is named Aglaia for Brightness, another is named Euphrosyne for Joyfulness, and the third Thalia for Bloom.
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| Slot: |
Lady Liberty, Miss Anna W. Williams |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
SILVER DOLLARS - MORGAN LIBERTY HEAD |
| Item Description: |
$1 1896 |
| Grade: |
PCGS MS 65 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
In anticipation of the return of the silver dollar as a circulating coin, Mint Director Henry Linderman hired George T. Morgan in 1876 as an assistant engraver for the express purpose of designing a new silver dollar. Shortly thereafter, Morgan finished the reverse design, but the obverse design of the new dollar would be quite another issue. Then later in 1876 through a common friend, Thomas Eakins, Morgan found in the facial profile of Miss Anna W. Williams the perfect representation of the “Goddess of Liberty” for his dollar coin.
Miss Anna Williams, an art student in Philadelphia, was a modest 18-year-old girl. She did not crave notoriety or fame, but rather desired to pursue her passion as a schoolteacher in relative obscurity. When first asked to model for Morgan, she soundly refused. Through the encouragement of her friend Thomas Eakins, she finally agreed to model for Morgan under the stipulation that her identity remained anonymous. The official cover story would be that Morgan got the inspiration for his dollar from a Greek figure at the Philadelphia Academy of Art.
With final approval for the silver dollar design and passage of the Bland-Allison Act occurring on the same day, minting of the Morgan Dollar began in 1878. Unfortunately, the secret identity of “Lady Liberty” on the Morgan Dollar would be short-lived and in the summer of 1879, a Philadelphia newspaper revealed Anna Williams identity and dubbed her “The Silver Dollar Girl”.
This in turn brought a deluge of unwanted attention to Miss Anna W. Williams, then a schoolteacher at The House of Refuge. Fortunately, for Anna, this sudden surge of notoriety eventually subsided. However, in years to follow, Anna would reappear in the limelight and her decision to model for Morgan would vex her for the rest of her life.
In 1891, Anna Williams accepted a $60/month offer as a teacher of kindergarten philosophy at the Girl’s Normal School. In spite of the unwanted publicity as “The Silver Dollar Girl”, Anna became an accomplished teacher in her own rite. Anna’s literary talents allowed her to publish numerous articles in current periodicals and win an award for the best original essay on psychology. Consequently, this talent called her to several cities where she gave lectures on the topic of kindergarten teaching. Later Anna became the supervisor of kindergartens in Philadelphia, a position she held for more than 25 years until her retirement. Anna rarely granted interviews, but when she did, she used her notoriety as Morgan’s “Goddess of Liberty” as an opportunity to talk about the issues with which she was passionate.
Anna returned to the limelight in 1892 when she found herself and a print of her bust the subject of an article in “The Ladies Home Journal”. In 1896, Anna announced her engagement to be married. That announcement in turn was reprinted in the May 1896 issue of the ANA journal, “The Numismatist”. For whatever reason, the engagement broke off and Anna never married. While there are several theories as to why this occurred, I believe the excessive publicity surrounding the engagement eventually doomed it.
The broken engagement represents a sad chapter in Anna’s life and her constant struggle for any sense of normalcy. This in turn is why I choose the 1896 Morgan Dollar to represent Miss Anna W. William’s story. Sometimes I wonder if every time Anna handled one of these coins, it served as a constant reminder to her. Fortunately, for her, Morgan Dollars in Philadelphia circulated about as much as dollar coins do today.
Always the schoolteacher, Anna even in retirement advocated for compulsory kindergarten education for all students in Philadelphia. Then on April 17, 1926, Anna Willis Williams died in her hometown of Philadelphia at the age of 68. Anna’s obituary also appeared in the May 1926 issue of “The Numismatist”.
Surprisingly, with very little evidence to the contrary, there is still some speculation as to the identity of Lady Liberty on the Morgan Dollar. A letter sent from Morgan’s daughter to her daughter is the primary reason for doubt. In that letter Morgan’s daughter states, “Father always said no matter how many models posed for him that he never bid any, and that he made up the obverse himself”. However, from Anna’s perspective, she is quoted describing her role as Lady Liberty as, “an incident of my youth”. I think regardless of what happened, Morgan was going to keep up his end of the anonymity bargain, and the model for the Morgan Dollar is indeed that of Anna W. Williams. I am also posting a photo collage of a print I purchased on ebid alongside the obverse of the 1896 Morgan Dollar from my collection. For me this is the primary piece of evidence to the identity controversy concerning the Morgan dollar, as the resemblance is unmistakable.
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| Slot: |
Lady Liberty |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
50C 1904 USA-PHIL |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The Philippines were acquired by the United States in 1899 as part of a treaty with Spain ending the Spanish-American War. In 1901, the military government gave way to a civilian administration with a need for new coinage. Starting in 1903 and minted at Philadelphia and San Francisco, coins for the fledgling Philippine government were issued in denominations of 1 peso and 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, ½ centavos, whereas 100 centavos are equal to 1 peso.
The obverse of this PF-62 1904, 50 Centavo coin features “Lady Liberty” striking an anvil with a hammer symbolizing the work done by the United States in establishing a progressive Philippines. The model for Lady Liberty used on this coin may have been Blanca, the daughter of the coins’ designer Melecio Figueroa. The erupting volcano in the background of the coins’ obverse is Mt. Mayon and the reverse design shows an eagle perched on a union shield representing the arms of the US Territories.
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| Slot: |
Lady Liberty/Birth of the Republic |
| Origin/Country: |
PORTUGAL 1836 TO DATE |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
ESCUDO 1910 BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 58 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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| Slot: |
Allegorical |
| Origin/Country: |
ITALY |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
10C 1911R KINGDOM ANNIVERSARY |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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| Slot: |
Columbia Panama Canal Opening |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 1914 HK-398 PANAMA CANAL COMPLETION #11138 Jeff Shevlin Coll. |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
How did a medal I never knew existed become something I had to have in less than two months? Several improbable events, that’s how.
The improbable events started at the end of November 2022 as my wife, and I prepared to go on a cruise. Our 16-day cruise began in Los Angeles and ended almost 4,700 miles away in Miami through the Panama Canal. At the time, I was excited about transiting the Panama Canal. But I was especially thrilled to spend 16 days with my daughter, her husband, and my 17-month-old grandson.
I was all in on the canal when we finally reached Panama City. I gobbled up as much information about the canal as possible. I took dozens of pictures of one of the seven engineering wonders of the world. To this day, I’m soaking up all things Panama Canal. I even have a wallpaper image of the canal on my laptop!
When I got home, the most improbable event of all occurred. A few years ago, I decided to let my membership in the Central States Numismatic Society lapse in favor of PAN. When I went to the post office to pick up the mail, I noticed a large envelope with a return address to CSNS. Inside the envelope was their newly reformatted winter 2023 copy of “The Centinel” and a note asking me to come back. As an aside, I like “The Centinel’s” new format. At any rate, The Centinel had an article entitled “Commemorating the Big Ditch” by Juan L. Riera. The article described the opening of the Panama Canal on August 15, 1914, and the so-called dollar struck to commemorate it.
Do any of you have that “gotta have” coin for your collection on your want list? After reading the article, this so-called dollar (HK-398) immediately went from never heard of to first on my want list of “gotta have” pieces for my collection. I immediately went surfing on the internet to find my new must-have. I finally settled on a nice medal from a dealer I had previously dealt with. Having a medal available in the marketplace for me to purchase is the last improbable event in a long series of incredible events.
Fortunately, this medal was reasonably priced and now stands as the perfect addendum to a most memorable cruise! Add to the fact that this medal (1 of 50,000 serialized medals) was carried aboard the SS Cristobal. The Cristobal was the first ship to transit the Panama Canal on August 3, 1914. At the official opening of the canal on August 15, 1914, this medal was given to 200 dignitaries aboard the SS Ancon. The Ancon is the first official ship to transit the Panama Canal. Though this medal is 1 of 50,000, the dealer who sold me this medal estimates that only a couple hundred examples of it survive today. Perhaps the low survival rate can be attributed to the high international appeal of this medal scattered around the world.
This I do know that my medal graded MS-62 by NGC is among the nicer surviving examples. The design of the Panama Canal completion medal was recommended to the John F. Newman Co. of New York (manufacturer of the Panama Canal Completion medal) by Miss Elizabeth Rodman, cousin of Capt. Hugh Rodman, U.S.N., Supt. of Transportation, Canal Zone. Though the Panama Canal completion medal was copyrighted in 1913, the official issuing date of the medal is recognized as 1914.
This medal measures 38mm in diameter and is struck in bronze. The serial number marked on the reverse is 11138. The obverse of the medal features a woman standing on the prow of a ship transiting the Panama Canal. Her arms are outstretched, holding a ribbon. Under her hands are two globes, the eastern hemisphere on her right and the Western hemisphere on her left. The inscription on the ribbon, translated from Latin, is “Columbia unites the oceans.” The woman has rays of light emanating from her head. There is a banner over her head with the motto boldly proclaiming, “Prosperity to all Nations.” Though I can not find any documentation of the fact, I believe the woman is a personification of Columbia.
The reverse features an inscription under the seal of the Panama Canal Zone. It reads: Commemorating the opening of The Panama Canal to the Commerce of the World Copyrighted and Bearing A Serial number is one of 50000 Carried on the Vessel making the First Passage Through the Panama Canal as Authenticated in Certificate Signed by (signed) Geo. W. Goethals Chief Engineer and Chairman lsthmian Canal Commission.
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| Slot: |
Effigy of the Republic |
| Origin/Country: |
PORTUGAL 1836 TO DATE |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
50C 1916 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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| Slot: |
Italia |
| Origin/Country: |
ITALY |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
5C 1918R |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Female standing on prow -
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| Slot: |
Liberty/Freedom |
| Origin/Country: |
ITALY |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
20C 1921R |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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| Slot: |
Marianne |
| Origin/Country: |
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| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
SILVER 1923-DATED FRANCE INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY MR. J. FRAZER (47.5g 44.9mm) |
| Grade: |
NGC MEDAL MS 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Created by H. Dubois
Founded in 1884, the Industrial Society of Eastern was first selfless support center for study and promotion of technical, social progress and support the creation of Grandes Ecoles in Nancy.
By awarding medals for a century, the SIE celebrates the progress of the business and the work of women and men in our area, all artisans of our economy.
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| Slot: |
Helvetia |
| Origin/Country: |
SWITZERLAND CONFEDERATION |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
G20F 1903B Switzerlnd |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This coin known as the Vreneli or Helvetia is a major departure from the previous 20 Francs coin featuring a representation of Lady Liberty. While the personification of Vreneli also represents liberty, I think the name Vreneli captures more of the heart and soul of the Swiss people. To make my point, the name Vreneli may also represent a character named Vreneli in the story of Swiss folk hero William Tell. The name Vreneli could also be a derivative of the word Verena which is a female effigy representing the Confederation of Switzerland. The name Helvetia comes from an ancient group of Celtic people called the Helvetii and was the name given to the region by the Romans in 58 BC. Helvetia has since evolved into the female personification of Switzerland she is today. Even the name Swiss Miss is used to characterize this coin because of the apparent youthfulness of the women featured on the obverse representing the free and independent spirit of the Swiss people.
The design for this coin came by means of a contest won by Fritz Landry whose first initial and last name appear on the coins obverse. A young woman named Francoise Engli serves as the model for Vreneli.
With the Swiss Alps as a backdrop, the obverse of this coin features the bust of a young woman with plaited hair wearing a garland of edelweiss flowers around her neck. The name Helvetia appears over the top of the mountains. The reverse features a Swiss Cross on an ornate shield tied with a ribbon to an oak branch behind it. The shield and oak branch separate the value of the coin 20 with the denomination FR for Francs. The date and mintmark appear on the bottom rim of the coins reverse. The edge of this coin features 22 stars in relief.
Lending to the charm of this coin is the legend of the edelweiss flower that grows in the harsh environment of the Alps. Protected by gnomes, the beautiful ice queen with a heart as cold as her name, sings her beautiful song from high atop the Swiss Alps. Lured by her lovely voice, shepherds would climb the mountains to her abode. Upon their arrival, the ice queen toyed with their hearts until she was bored with them at which point the gnomes tossed them from the mountains unto their death. This went on for many years until the ice queen met a man she fell in love with. Unfortunately, this did not sit well with the gnomes who feared that their immortal ice queen would marry a mortal man. Filled with jealousy the gnomes conspired to toss her beloved off the mountain. Hurtling to his death in the valley below, his heart burst asunder in full view of the ice queen. Seeing this, the ice queen whose icy heart was melting, shed one tear that fell from her cheek and onto the ground turning into an edelweiss flower. Later male suitors in order to show their love would climb dangerous peaks in search of the edelweiss flower. The edelweiss flower is then a symbol of love, bravery, strength, and dedication.
In the year 1291 AD, three cantons in the heart of todays Switzerland united to form the Old Swiss Confederacy. As a comparison, cantons in Switzerland are much like states in the United States. Among the three original cantons is the Canton of Schwyz. Today the Swiss flag of a white cross against a red background is an adaptation of the coat of arms for the Canton of Schwyz. Used originally to identify soldiers from different cantons under a common banner, the flag of the Swiss Army became the flag and national identity of Switzerland after a brief civil war in 1840. Thus, the reverse of this coin featuring a Swiss Cross on an ornate shield represents the unity of the cantons. That shield tied by ribbons onto an oak branch then represents the strength and independence of the Swiss Confederation.
In 1798, the Revolutionary French Army defeated the Old Swiss Confederation. The French then established the Helvetian Republic abolishing the cantons and imposing a new centralized government. This government was very unpopular with the Swiss people because it abolished hundreds of years of tradition. This led to a compromise in 1803 and the establishing of the Swiss Confederation restoring cantonal autonomy to 19 cantons. After the final defeat of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna in 1815 fully restored Swiss autonomy, established 22 cantons, and guaranteed Swiss neutrality. Eventually this loose confederation of cantons gave way in 1848 to a new federal Constitution modeled after the United States Constitution. Many of the principles of this constitution have been in force ever since. Thus, while US coins displaying 13 stars represents the 13 original colonies, the 22 stars in raised relief on the edge of this coin represents the 22 cantons of the 1815 Swiss Confederation.
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| Slot: |
Nike (Victory) |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
SILVER COMMEMORATIVES |
| Item Description: |
50C 1934 TEXAS |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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| Slot: |
Helvetia |
| Origin/Country: |
SWITZERLAND CONFEDERATION |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
5F 1936B Switzerlnd ARMAMENT FUND |
| Grade: |
PCGS MS 65 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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