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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,098 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
Within the classic-era US commemorative coin series, there are two coins that feature one or more riders on horseback as a primary design element: the 1900 Lafayette Memorial Dollar and the 1925 Stone Mountain Memorial Half Dollar - an "Equestrian Connection." What makes the connection between these two coins particularly interesting is the fact that in each case, the image on the coin is "second hand" - i.e., it is a depiction of a planned static memorial vs. a live-action scene. The reverse of the 1900 Lafayette Memorial Dollar depicts an early version of Paul Wayland Bartlett's Lafayette statue which depicts the Marquis de Lafayette with his sword drawn and held in his outstretched hand. The sword is shown pointing down to symbolize Lafayette offering his sword (and the benefit of his military experience) to the Americans. On the final version of the statue, Bartlett depicted Lafayette with an upraised right arm with his hand holding his unsheathed sword aloft; his left hand again holds the reins of his horse. Bronze Lafayette Statue, on its Pedestal, Erected in Paris, France Image Credit: George Grantham Bain Collection held by the US Library of Congress; Public Domain.1900 Lafayette Memorial Silver Dollar  The accepted obverse of the Stone Mountain Memorial Half Dollar features General "Stonewall" Jackson (at rear) and General Robert E. Lee on horseback. As originally designed, the pair were to be shown leading a Confederate Army procession with additional horses and soldiers. (See image below.) Original Stone Mountain Memorial -- Enlarged Image of Planned Sculpture The coin and, ultimately, the Memorial presented a much-reduced depiction. 1925 Stone Mountain Memorial Half Dollar  A cousin to this pair is the 1936 York County, Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar. In the foreground of the coin's reverse is seen a man riding a horse in front of Brown's Garrison. I call this one a "cousin" because the "man on horseback" is only a minor element in the coin's overall design and it lacks the detail seen on the Lafayette or Stone Mountain coins. 1936 York County, Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar  Can you think of another "cousin" from the classic-era series? Anyone care to post a cousin from the modern era of US commemorative coins? Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
You can tell by the roofline behind the equestrian statue that you're not in Kansas any more!
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
Fun connections commems - thank you for sharing them with us.  Quote:
Can you think of another "cousin" from the classic-era series? Hmmmm ... I am not aware of any additional horses used as design elements on a classic era commemorative. So, in lieu of additional "cousins" I'll nominate below what I'll call 3 "nephews". By my definition a 'nephew' is a coin that uses a domesticated animal as a key design element. The 1926 - 1939 Oregon Trail Half Dollar prominently features an oxen pulling a Conestoga wagon westward into the setting sun. It appears on the side designed by James, notwithstanding the long standing discussion of which side is the obverse. 1937-D Oregon Trail PCGS MS67+/CAC Then there is the fattened calf prominently shown on the obverse of Gertrude Lathrop 1938 New Rochelle 250th Anniversary Half. 1938 New Rochelle Half PCGS MS66/CAC And as final nephew I nominate the longhorn steer (skull) shown on the obverse off the 1935 Old Spanish Trail half. A shameful coin for the private venture and profit of L.W. Hoffecker. 1935 Old Spanish Trail Half PCGS MS66/CAC Can someone think of another 'nephew' from the classic era series? Quote:
Anyone care to post a cousin from the modern era of US commemorative coins? There likely are cousins in the modern era, but I don't really follow those coins. I can however nominate what I suggest is a direct family member of your two coins from the classic era. The 1982 George Washington half dollar whose obverse design shows George facing the viewer while riding a horse. Perhaps someone who owns this coin can post a photo? Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.artEdited by nickelsearcher
12/27/2024 3:39 pm
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
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I am not aware of any additional horses used as design elements on a classic era commemorative. Would you settle for half of a horse?  The obverse of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition Gold Quarter Eagle depicts a mythological animal - the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a fictitious animal that dates to Greek mythology; according to myth, it was believed to be a combination of the front quarters of a horse and the body and tail of a fish. The allegorical figure of Columbia - a personification of the United States - is depicted riding the hippocampus. 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Gold Quarter Eagle  Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
12/27/2024 6:01 pm
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
So, in lieu of additional "cousins" I'll nominate below what I'll call 3 "nephews". By my definition a 'nephew' is a coin that uses a domesticated animal as a key design element. Nice creativity! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
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Would you settle for half of a horse? You can perhaps convince me to do so. But it is going to take some more discussion to do so. I do argue that the wings on the shoulders and scales on the chest of the mythological animal hippocampus are far removed from a horse and bear no relation at all, be it cousin or nephew. I prefer of course my take on your approach by nominating domesticated animals as welcome members of the family. It would be a fun exercise to name the classic era coins containing non-domesticated animals, excluding eagles of course. As such I propose a potential commems threads - animals depicted on the classic era series domesticated vs not-domesticated excluding eagles. Although I truly wish we could get Henry Kreis two fabulous Art Deco eagles included as animals.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10475 Posts |
Excellent coins! Too bad Coinfrog chased you away from the "Trios" forum.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Wot? Did I screw up again?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10475 Posts |
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Wot? Did I screw up again? Not "again" - "still" |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
You can perhaps convince me to do so. But it is going to take some more discussion to do so.
I do argue that the wings on the shoulders and scales on the chest of the mythological animal hippocampus are far removed from a horse and bear no relation at all, be it cousin or nephew.
I prefer of course my take on your approach by nominating domesticated animals as welcome members of the family. At least my mythical horse "cousin" has a rider!  Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
The 1982 George Washington half dollar whose obverse design shows George facing the viewer while riding a horse.
Perhaps someone who owns this coin can post a photo? I typically wait for jbuck to post images of the 1982 Washington Half Dollar. I'm sure he'll oblige once he comes around. Here's another from the modern US series that fits the bill, the 2016 Mark Twain Silver Dollar. The reverse of the coin presents assorted characters from the stories and books of Twain. At the top of the design is seen the knight from the novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court riding his horse while holding his lance during the big jousting tournament/competition.   Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Very interesting topic. Quote:
I typically wait for jbuck to post images of the 1982 Washington Half Dollar. I'm sure he'll oblige once he comes around. I wish I had better photos to share.   For those who do not know, I got these direct from the Mint in 1982. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3634 Posts |
Interesting read, commems, and nice follow-on discussions! Thanks everyone!
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
94728 Posts |
Thank you for all the topics you start - Now that the 'holidays' are over, I have a lot of catching up to do. Time consuming, but fun and interesting to read.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,098 |
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Posted 12/27/2024 3:38 pm
