Post Your Coin Or Medal With Flora

2013 Banco Central de Reserva del Peru.
1 Nuevo Sol

Another classic design. I always like the use of allegory on coins!

Thanks for posting!

I must say I haven't been aware of the rich and beautifully rendered flora on British coins, @NumisRob. Very enjoyable!

A step away from the agricultural fixation on French "floral" coins: The Tree of Liberty (l'Arbre de la Liberte) - in a more artistic than natural representation, but appealing in a way. It is a tradition going back to the French Revolution, when trees were planted under ceremonial forms around the country, as a symbol for life, continuity, growth, strength and power.

The tree shown is an oak tree, with olive branches in front of it. (Perhaps there is a rule against showing vegetables on French coins, unless there is at least one olive branch included ... )

I believe the symbolism is the same in France, generally speaking. The olive branch is certainly a peace symbol, the oak (leaves) symbolizes strength. In France I think* the oak is also specifically seen as a symbol for the strength of the Republic and for the justice upheld by the Republic (in contrast to the somewhat more arbitrary justice upheld by the monarchy). It also seems that oak leaves and branches appear mostly on the coins of the republican periods in France (but there are also a lot of olive branches), while monarchs and emperors stick to olive branches (despite not always being overly pacifistic themselves).

* Not being French myself, I have to guess a bit

Of course, England gave the world:

"Mighty oaks, from little acorns grow."

So, it seems an appropriate design for its coins!

Prior to posting this 1943 1 franc coin, I attempted to do my own search of the flora symbolism just to better understand it.
In doing so, I came across this thread on this forum from 2009 which started out as a quest for rating the condition and values, but quickly evolved to the oaks symbols. Still not sure I understand completely, but some great discussion by some very knowledgeable people just like on this thread, but some 12 years earlier.

https://goccf.com/t/54703



....... for what it's worth.... and great sctuff !

The RCM issued its first commemorative nickel dollar in 1970; it marked the 100th anniversary of Manitoba joining the Canadian Confederation. Manitoba was the first addition to the original Confederation that was formed in 1867; it joined founding members New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec.

The commemorative design presents a prairie crocus, the provincial flower of Manitoba, with three blossoms - two open and one closed. The design is the work of Raymond Taylor, a Canadian artist who won an open design competition staged by the Mint in 1969. Taylor's design was a unanimous choice among the selection committee and earned him $3,500 for his efforts. Walter Ott, an engraver within the RCM, modeled the design from which the dies were ultimately created.




For a more complete discussion of this Canadian commemorative dollar, check out:

- 1970 Manitoba Dollar and Expo '70 in Osaka

Olive branches and Cedar of Lebanon on a 1972 Lebanese 25 piastres: