Post Your Coin Or Medal With Flora

@NumisRob: Is there a symbolic meaning to the "Cedar of Lebanon" tree on the coin?

This topic blew up over the weekend with some very fascinating examples!

I've made several trips to China and SE Asia in the past decade, and have brought back some coins on each trip. Here's a circulating, low-value One Yuan coin from China that is nickel-plated steel.

The obverse depicts a Chrysanthemum blossom, with the name of its issuer - the People's Bank of China (translated) above it. In China, the chrysanthemum is often viewed as a symbol of vitality and tenacity due to its fall blossoming schedule under often difficult conditions.

Great coins, everyone!


This is from Wikipedia:
"In the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest great works of literature, the Sumerian hero Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu travel to the legendary Cedar Forest to kill its guardian and cut down its trees. While early versions of the story place the forest in Iran, later Babylonian accounts of the story place the Cedar Forest in the Lebanon."

Here's a Japanese 100 Yen coin showing cherry blossom:

The annual blossoming of the cherry trees is hugely important in Japan. Traditionally there were festivals and celebrations when the cherry tree bloomed, and now cherry blossom time is a popular occasion for 'selfies' posted on Instagram and for family get-togethers.

Provincial Floral Emblems Du Canada

The next classic US commemorative coin that I'd like to highlight is the half dollar struck for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition - flora design elements make up an important part of the symbolism on each side of the coin.

Columbia - the allegorical personification of the United States - is depicted on the obverse scattering flowers into San Francisco Bay as she looks out onto the Golden Gate and a setting sun. Standing behind Columbia is a cherub. In biblical times, Cherubs were seen as angelic servants of God by multiple religions. In modern time, a cherub is typically seen as a young, innocent child. On the coin, the cherub helps Columbia spread America's prosperity (symbolically represented by the flowers), in the spirit of friendship. The cherub holds a cornucopia full of additional flowers, ready for Columbia's use. The cornucopia full of flowers on the coin is meant to represent the "boundless resources" of the American West.

The coin's reverse also includes flora design elements. To the left of the eagle (viewer's perspective) is depicted an oak branch which is included to represent strength and stability; to the right of the eagle is seen an olive branch, a timeless, international symbol of peace.

The obverse design is the work of Charles E. Barber; George T. Morgan created the reverse design.

1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Half Dollar


You can learn more about the Pan-Pac commemorative half dollar here:

- 1915 Panama-Pacific Half Dollar
- 1915 Panama-Pacific Half Dollar - Revisit
- 1915 Panama-Pacific Half Dollar - Coins with Hats Thread
- 1915 Panama-Pacific Half Dollar - Mythology on Coins Thread

My previous posts about other commemorative coins and medals can be found here: Read More: Commems Collection.

1986 UK.
2 Pounds - Elizabeth II 3rd portrait.



Reverse
St Andrew's cross surmounted by the thistle of Scotland below date.

Here's a coin that's all about the flora! The 1997 US Botanic Garden commemorative silver dollar.

The coin's reverse features the National Flower of the United States - the rose - at the center piece of its design, with an intricate rose garland encircling the central device at the rim between the 8:30 and 3:30 clock positions.