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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,644 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
I've heard different stories about why Lady Liberty's breast was covered in chain mail after the Type I was released. Some say it was to commemorate the U.S. entry into WW1. Others say that the public was unhappy about a bare-breasted woman on commonly circulating coins.
I wonder, if the Type 1 was released for circulation today (not counting the 2016 1/4 ounce), would there be a backlash over the "nudity"? What do you think? "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
It was changed to reduce wear.
It had nothing to do with a bare breast.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
With political correctness, we are just as prudish now, as we were in 1916. Most Western countries suffer from the same problem. That is a pity. Michaelangelo's 'David' and the 'Venus De Milo' scupltures are much admired. What a contradiction!  |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
In THIS PC culture? (Snort!) A 3-D heads and tails coin could make it through the RCM, might even make a US Commemorative! How about commiserating the 50th anniversary of the burning of the bra in '68? That'd work... |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Can't be to commemorate the entry into WWI as at the time it was released we still had not entered the war. But the overall design does symbolically indicate a preparation for war.
There was no "public outcry" over the bare breast design back then. And the Mint DID NOT order the breast covered and did request no changes other than the ones they did request. So the chain mail was added against Mint orders.
Edited by Conder101
11/02/2017 2:55 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Such a design wouldn't last 5 minutes in the CCAC today.
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Moderator
 United States
187950 Posts |
I say that the alleged or supposed controversy is secondary. It would never even be released because the Mint's artistic style has changed over the last hundred years. Public cannot hate on something that does not exist.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Wait - we could always commemorate Janet Jackson!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
These days, if it doesn't have a dead president on it, it's not going to be struck for circulation. Personally, I would like to see ALL of the old designs brought back for special circulation runs of a year or two. You could mint Indian Head cents for a couple of years, Wheat Cents for a couple of years, etc. Same for nickels/dimes/quarters. It might get people interested in looking at their pocket change again, when they actually have any physical coins on hand... Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
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Moderator
United States
187950 Posts |
Quote:
Personally, I would like to see ALL of the old designs brought back for special circulation runs of a year or two. I think that would be really fun, but I wonder how much of the appeal would be lost because of the low relief necessary for today's coinage. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
Well, the "modern" SLQ/Mercury/Walker minted for the 100th anniversary seemed to come out OK
Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Even those had their critics over missing detail and they were in a softer metal than would be used for circulation. I'm afraid they would have to lower the relief even more if they were to try and produce them in clad for circulation.
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Moderator
United States
187950 Posts |
Yes, they were gold and a very low mintage. Imagine billions minted on clad planchets. Much lower relief is needed to increase speed and extend die life. They would look much different. You can see how this has affected our coins by comparing recent issues to those minted over fifty or sixty years ago.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Strike it faithfully, in original alloy and as NIFC, and I might just have to break down and buy a Modern issue.  |
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Moderator
United States
187950 Posts |
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Strike it faithfully, in original alloy and as NIFC, and I might just have to break down and buy a Modern issue. You will find that a large number of us wanted that instead of or in addition to the gold releases. However, the legislation would not allow it. |
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
Kids didn't have access to the commemorative gold SLQ. I think there is no contemporaneous documentation supporting this "public outcry". Look at Cline's book. Everything that happened back then is documented in it.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,644 |
Posted 10/31/2017 6:08 pm
