Mythology On Coins. Post Yours...

very nice Gary

Very nice!

To mark the 1988 Olympic Games, and help raise funds for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), a pair of commemorative coins were authorized by the US Congress and struck by the US Mint - a Gold Half Eagle and a Silver Dollar.

The Half Eagle presents Nike, the mythological Greek goddess of victory in battle. US Mint Chief Engraver Elizabeth Jones designed/sculpted the depiction.

In 1996, the US Mint released a Gold Half Eagle and a Silver Dollar to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Smithsonian Institution.

The obverse of the Silver Dollar features a depiction of the Smithsonian Castle, the first building of the Smithsonian Institution (SI).

The coin's reverse presents an allegorical depiction of a classical female figure (based on the Greek goddess Athena and/or Roman goddess Minerva - each was a goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom - among other responsibilities!) holding the Torch of Knowledge in her raised left hand and a scroll featuring "ART / HISTORY / SCIENCE" written on it in her right.



For more the coin and its back story, see:

- 1996 Smithsonian Institution 150th Anniversary - Silver Dollar

Unfortunately, it was closed for renovations during our recent visit.

very nice commems.
Thanks for the image jbuck

Here's another 1996 issue from the US Mint - the National Community Service Silver Dollar.

The 1996 National Community Service Silver Dollar was issued "to commemorate students who volunteer to perform community service" vs. to mark the Centennial, Sesquicentennial, etc. of a specific action/event.

The obverse design presents a standing allegorical/mythological figure of Lady Liberty. In her right hand, she supports a book (symbolic of learning and discovery) with the Lamp of Knowledge on top of it With her left hand, Lady Liberty supports an oval-shaped US Shield.

The coin's reverse is largely commemorative inscriptions within a laurel wreath.

Nice addition, commems.