Obverse (Image: Liberty)
Reverse (Image: Bald Eagle)
With the passing of Labor Day in the United States, I decided to highlight an American coin this week.
The currency of the United States of America is the US dollar, with 100 cents equaling one dollar. The US dollar was created by the Coinage Act of 1792, but it’s interesting to note that both the Mexican peso and Spanish dollar also remained legal tender until 1857.
The first dollar coin was minted in 1795 and was known as the Flowing Hair Dollar. The Peace dollar was minted from 1921 – 1928 and again in 1934 and 1935. The design of the coin was the result of a competition won by Anthony de Francisci to commemorate the peace following World War I. The obverse depicts a profile of Liberty with a crown similar to the one on the Statue of Liberty. This side of the coin also includes the word “Liberty” and the motto “In God We Trust”, both requirements of the competition.
The reverse of the coin depicts a bald eagle perched on a mountain top, holding an olive branch. Included on the reverse are the denomination, the name of the country and E pluribus unum, with all three also requirements of the competition. In addition, de Francisci included the word “Peace” on this side of the coin. The phrase E pluribus unum is Latin for “out of many, one” and was adopted in 1782 by an Act of Congress.
More information on the Peace dollar can be found in this interview: Interview with Peace dollar historian Roger Burdette.
No comments:
Post a Comment