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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,877 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
I was asked to cut this coin as part of a collection of cut coins for some one. I did the rough cut without much thought but I needed some 8/0 blades to finish the lettering while I wait for Amazon to deliver the saw blades I'm beginning to wonder if I should finish it? the collector has a large collection of cut coins from numerous countries. I have done work for him before. If things run true to form he will want other denominations from the same series. I'm not much into symbols but this one tends to get a lot of reactions.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1590 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7276 Posts |
I personally wouldn't do any more. The symbol has hateful connotation. I wouldn't feel comfortable. But you are doing the work, only you can say if you want to do it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
541 Posts |
I am always impressed with such detailed work regardless of the symbol.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8938 Posts |
I agree that it's history. The world isn't always rainbows and kisses. What matters is that we accept it happened, treat the symptoms, and move on.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12477 Posts |
If you are referring to the swastika, that symbol has much more history than being used by Nazis for a few years. It's up to you as the artist, but I don't think getting hung up about that symbol in one particular way it was used benefits anyone.
The Nazis commandeered many "good luck" ideas over their short life. That doesn't mean those ideas are bad.
That's my opinion.
In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Valued Member
United States
213 Posts |
I felt something similar the first time a nazi piece turned up in a bag of world coins that I purchased. I almost folded it over and threw it away. For a moment the idea of even owning it made me feel small. Because let's face it, the nazi hijacking of that symbol, especially when placed beneath an eagle, was their most successful. When you see someone with a swistika tattoo or shirt you (or at least I) don't think "wow, that guy's into Native American symbolism and good luck."
Then I started thinking and I realized that they don't deserve to be wiped from history! It would be doing humanity a disservice.
Also, if the buyer wants to wear it, it's his choice, and I for one wouldn't mind knowing he's a sympathizer without having to waste time with a conversation.
And on a final note, I store my nazi coins snugly between my Jewish and Polish pieces. It puts a smile on my face.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8938 Posts |
I own 1 piece of Nazi coinage, a 1942 10 Phenning, I found it in a nickel roll. I kept it as an interesting circulation find.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
789 Posts |
It's not "time to look past the subject matter". Coins are history, more-so than most objects.
That's all the more reason to go ahead and finish the job. (As an aside, I'm personally not a big fan of doing this to collectable coins.)
Put some googly eyes on the eagle. Or maybe a micro star of David on its chest?
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Objects of history remind us where we have been.
If they are hidden or destroyed we forget the events as there are no substantive objects to remind us.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
I doubt very much the piece will ever be worn most reside in display boxes. I have done a star of David for him in the past So I don't think there is anything here other than the desire for an addition to a collection. If I finish it then it will be to the best of my ability without altering the intended design. I know the symbol is just that and before it became one of controversy it was used by many cultures. I think I was wondering what an impact it might have on my art. I'm pretty selfish :-) so the thought was will this negatively impact my sales if word gets around? I think I'm going to finish it and not worry about something that might happen. As always its the challenge of the cut that drives not the subject matter.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
709 Posts |
Somebody more famous than me ( which includes practically everybody ) once said:
Those who forget the past are condemned to relive it.
With events like Nazi Germany, it is important to know what happened, know why it happened, and to apply those ideas to improving our own times.
If this piece is for a display box, provoking occasional thought and reflection, then that is probably a good thing. If it was for flaunting in the street to recreate those times, then it would not be good.
In my opinion it is rather like a gun. Sitting in a box or display case, a gun is neither good nor evil. When a hand takes that gun and uses it, then during that use it becomes good or evil depending on the mind driving the hand. The problem comes when there are weak minds around who cannot resist taking the gun to do evil.
Wow. That was heavy. Think I need to get off my soap box and sit down for a while...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36741 Posts |
Well said Anaximander. It's just a piece of history, nothing more.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,877 |
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Posted 09/08/2019 10:50 pm
