Post Your Coins And Medals With Trees

Fantastic!

Here's a coin that features the second youngest tree on a classic US commemorative coin - the youngest is found on the 1928 Hawaiian half dollar that includes a sprouting coconut (a seeding for a future coconut tree) on its reverse - the 1937 Roanoke Colony Memorial half dollar which includes a pine tree sapling.

The coin serves a dual commemorative purpose, it commemorates the 350th anniversary of the Sir Walter Raleigh-financed attempts at establishing a permanent colony on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, as well as the birth of Virginia Dare - the first child of English parentage born in the New World. Virginia was born on August 18, 1587.

On the coin's reverse, directly behind the standing figure of Elinor Dare (modern: Eleanor), is seen a pine tree sapling. Though I have never seen anything more than a generic "pine tree sapling" reference in books about US commemorative coins, it would not surprise me to learn that William Marks Simpson, the coin's designer, specifically depicted a Shortleaf Pine sapling on the coin. It is a very common variety of pine tree in North Carolina, and is found within the coastal region. Simpson is known to have visited the site of the Roanoke Colony, so it seems very plausible that he saw many Shortleaf Pine saplings during his time there and used one or more of them as the reference source for the sapling on the coin's reverse.

The growth rate of the Shortleaf Pine is slower than average among pine trees for about the first 10 to 20 years of its life, but then begins to accelerate and catch up. The "slow and steady" tree can reach heights of 80 to 100 feet and can live for 200 or more years if healthy and in a good environment.

1937 Roanoke Colony Memorial Half Dollar




I have made several posts about the 1937 Roanoke half dollar, you can check them out here: Commems Collection.

One last classic US commemorative coin depicting a tree - the 1936 Albany, NY Charter 250th Anniversary half dollar.

Though subtle, and understandably prone to being overlooked, the reverse design of the coin features a young pine tree. The tree is presented behind Governor Thomas Dongan (at left) who is depicted shaking hands with Peter Schuyler after he presented the city's charter (the rolled-up document being held by Schuyler) to Schuyler in July of 1686; Schuyler's secretary, Robert Livingston, is depicted to his right (behind him from the viewer's perspective).

I've long wondered about the tree on the Albany half dollar. Based on its small size and apparent young age, it isn't a tree that I would expect to be full of pine cones (as shown); it does not appear to be a mature enough tree for pine cones (and their role in reproduction). I'm not an arborist, however, so I can't say definitively one way or another. Any tree specialists out there who can shed additional light?

1936 Albany, NY 250th Anniversary of City Charter




I've posted more details about the Albany half dollar. If interested, check out:

- 1936 Albany Charter 250th
- 1936 Albany Charter 250th - Ephemera
- 1936 Albany Charter 250th - Unused Funds

You can read more of my posts about commemorative coins and medals here: Commems Collection.

Terry Fox Commemorative Dollar

This 2018 Minnesota Voyageurs National Park 25 cent coin features a beautiful water scene with the tall pine trees in the background and a single Loon in the foreground, quite reminiscent of the Canadian loonie, although quarter sized. Very pretty coin.



"Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park was established in 1971 "to preserve the scenery, geological conditions, and waterway system" inherent to the park, protecting 218,054 acres, including 84,000 acres of water. It consists of miles of undeveloped shoreline, with hundreds of islands and numerous lakes. The combination of rocky shorelines, southern boreal and northern hardwood forests, and open water create a distinct home for bald eagles, loons, black bears, moose, and wolves." - USMINT

I agree with the design and artwork that this one is outstanding.

1961 Lebanon
25 Qirsha / Piastres

A cedar tree - the symbol of Lebanon.