The July 1904 issue of the
American Journal of Numismatics, published by the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society (ANAS), reported that the first 25,000 Lewis and Clark Exposition Gold Dollars (of the 250,000 authorized) had arrived in Portland, Oregon.
Note: The American Numismatic and Archaeological Society (1858-1907) was the forerunner of the American Numismatic Society (ANS) that continues to the present day (1907 to present).The brief notice also include the following reflection on the Captains Lewis and Clark designs depicted on the coins:
The custom of special devices for national coins begun with the Columbian Dollars, seems to have become established as a settled thing. These coins indicate a popular desire for a new departure from the somewhat monotonous types of Liberty which have characterized our money as compared with the changes which appear on foreign coins when a new ruler comes to the throne. Early historic events or personages who have had a marked influence on our national affairs -- Columbus, Queen Isabella, Lafayette -- seem to be preferred. If this tendency could make itself felt on the regular coinage it would give a new zeal to collectors.To paraphrase Isaiah, "And commemorative coins shall lead them..."
The designs for the early US commemorative coins were, IMO, functional but not of the highest artistic merit. So, I think the fact that the coins used figures other than an allegorical
Lady Liberty portrait in their design was the primary driver of the ANAS' supportive comments.
Within decades of the release of the Lewis and Clark Exposition commemorative gold dollar coins, the US was undergoing a comprehensive redesign of its circulating coinage (initially promoted by US President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt).
The American Coinage Renaissance - often referred to as "The Golden Age of US Coin Design" - was in full swing and brought such noted artists as Augustus St. Gaudens (Gold Double Eagle and Gold Eagle), Bela Lyon Pratt (Gold Half Eagle and Gold Quarter Eagle),
James Earle Fraser (Indian Head/"Buffalo" Nickel), Hermon MacNeil (
Standing Liberty quarter), Adolf Weinman (Winged Liberty Head/"Mercury" Dime and
Walking Liberty half dollar),
Victor D. Brenner (
Lincoln Cent) and Anthony de Francisci (
Peace dollar) to the US coin series and brought about the end of "the somewhat monotonous type of Liberty" that had been in use since the 18th Century.
While Teddy Roosevelt was inspired by the coinage of the ancient Greeks - particularly the high-relief coins of Alexander the Great - the designs of early US commemorative coins might have helped inspire his coin redesign efforts!
1904-05 Lewis and Clark Exposition Gold Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other Lewis and Clark stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 05/20/2025 07:36 am
