The Use of Seated Imagery in Numismatics
Europe


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description: 20E 1953 FINANCIAL REFORM
Grade: NGC MS 66
Owner: coinsbygary
 
Set Category: Thematic & Topical Coins
Set Name: The Use of Seated Imagery in Numismatics
Slot Name: Europe
Research: See NGC's Census Report for this Coin

Owner's Description

20E 1953 FINANCIAL REFORM: This coin commemorates the 25th anniversary of Portuguese financial reform started in 1928 by Minister of Finance Antonio Salazar. His reforms decreased unemployment and Portugal’s national debt. Furthermore, they led to a robust economy and shaped the financial stability and progress of Portugal for forty years. To commemorate this event, the government of Portugal utilizing Roman imagery issued a coin in 1953 featuring the goddess of money, Juno Moneta. Simple in its design, this coin portrays Juno Moneta in a seated position auditing the financial ledgers of Portugal. The reverse of this coin includes Portugal’s coat of arms with an armillary sphere. The purpose of an armillary sphere is to calculate the position of astronomical objects thus making it useful as a navigational aid. There is yet another piece of interesting numismatic history that involves the goddess of money, Juno Moneta. Around 344 BC The Romans built a temple to Juno Moneta in Rome. Since the Romans also believed that Juno Moneta was the protectress of funds, her temple became the site of the first Roman Mint. In fact, the term Moneta came to mean “mint” in Latin. In addition to coining operations, Juno Moneta’s temple served as the site where magistrates deposited their books (The first bank?).

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