Post Your Coins/Medals/Tokens Depicting Imaginary Personifications Or Allegories.

Time for a little bump...


Multiple of the classic-era United States commemorative coins featured allegorical figures. Up first, the 1893 Isabella Quarter:

The obverse of the 1893 Isabella features a portrait of the Spanish Queen, Isabella I of Castile; Isabella and her husband, King Ferdinand V, sponsored Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage to the New World. She is depicted facing left and wearing a jeweled crown.

The reverse of the coin features a female figure, kneeling, facing left and holding a distaff in her left hand linked to a spindle held in her right. The allegorical design was meant to be symbolic of women's industry, using the thread/yarn manufacturing industry as its model.

Very nice!

Next up, the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Silver Half Dollar:

The obverse of the half dollar depicts the allegorical female figure of Columbia - the personification of the United States - scattering flowers into San Francisco Bay as she looks out onto the Golden Gate and a setting sun. There is a cherub behind Columbia holding a cornucopia full of additional flowers; the cornucopia and flowers are meant to represent the "boundless resources" of the American West.

The reverse of the coin presents a Bald Eagle with outstretched wings surmounting a United States Shield.

another nice one commems

Next up, the 1920 Maine Statehood Centennial Half Dollar:

The obverse of the Maine Half Dollar is replete with allegorical elements. The left supporter (the Farmer) is symbolic of the State's agriculture, the right supporter (the Sailor) represents Maine's prowess in the maritime and fishing industries. The central Shield features a moose which represents Maine's wildlife and abundant land resources. In addition, the Shield features a pine tree which is also symbolic of Maine's natural resources.

The coins reverse presents a wreath with commemorative inscriptions within its ring.

Nice one, commems. Good information as well.

Time to turn attention to the 1923 Monroe Doctrine Enunciation Centennial Half Dollar:

The coin's allegorical symbolism can be found on the reverse of the Monroe Doctrine half dollar. Its design presents two contorted, but discernible, allegorical female figures, one representing North America and the other representing South America - the two continents of the Western hemisphere to which the Monroe Doctrine applied. In addition, the two figures are jointly holding a scroll and quill meant to symbolize the Monroe Doctrine.

The coin's obverse features the conjoined portraits of United States ("US") President James Monroe (rear) and US Secretary of State John Quincy Adams (front) - both circa 1823. Adams was the primary author of the provisions that Monroe presented to the US Congress and that would go on to become known as the Monroe Doctrine.

Next is a look at the 1925 California Statehood Diamond Jubilee Half Dollar:

The California half dollar uses allegory on each of its sides. On the obverse, a gold prospector is meant to represent California's "Gold Rush" history. The coin's reverse presents a California grizzly bear, meant to represent the State of California (the bear is part of the California State Seal/Emblem and Flag).

IMO, the designs provide a strong California "feel" to the coin.