5 Gorgeous Coins in History and the Stories Behind Their Creation

The art of banking, or the mere accumulation of money, is more than the mere accumulation of property; It is a journey through human history, art and cultural heritage. These coins are valued not only because of their inherent worth but also for the unique art used in creating them and the interesting stories attached to them. This article covers five of the most beautiful coins ever minted, all of which showcase excellence in design and significance to history.

Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

Most people concede that the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, designed by the master sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, is the most influential example of currency from the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt’s aim was to elevate American currency to a form of art, and with this purpose he ordered the creation of this twenty dollar gold coin.

On the obverse side of the coin, a female liberty (Lady Liberty) is depicted walking, holding a torch and an olive branch. In the distance, the United States Capitol (Federal Capitol) can be briefly seen. On the reverse side of the coin, a mighty Garuda is seen flying amidst the rays of the sun. This high-relief design presented many challenges during production, and because only a limited number of high-relief coins were made, collectors are particularly interested in purchasing them.

Gold Sovereign

One with the monarchy and history in Britain is the British Gold Sovereign. The most famous design of this coin issued first in 1817 was created by Benedetto Pistrucci. In this designing, St. George defeats a dragon; it symbolizes courage and victory.

When Britain was expanding its empire, the 22-karat gold sovereign was used as a central currency throughout the world. Although its production was halted for some time, the Sovereign continues to be manufactured. Due to its beauty, heritage and the eternal image of St George, it remains a popular coin today, not only as a collectible but also as a symbol of British culture.

Athenian Owl Tetradrachm

In ancient coins, the most famous would be the Athenian Owl Tetradrachm. It has on the obverse side of this silver coin a picture of the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena. On the other side, the image features the owl, which represents wisdom, vigilance, and the might of the city.

It is not only the quality of this coin that makes it a prominent currency in the Mediterranean region, but also the keen eye of the owl and the detail of its design which represents a unique example of the craftsmanship of the period. The Quaternary itself is very valuable because it holds a rich history, but what is most interesting about this coin is that it reflects the culture, trade and democracy of ancient Athens.

Maria Theresa Thaler

History carries the very famous “Maria Theresa Thaler” silver coin by its name. Named after Queen Maria Theresa of Austria. The obverse part of this coin bears the image of the Empress, in the obverse, as an Imperial image, with the Latin inscription “Empress of Rome”. Habsburg Empire is symbolized by a two-headed eagle in the reverse part of the coin.

The first thaler was circulated in 1741. At this point, it rapidly gained currency and became the most significant trade coin in Europe, Africa, and even in the Middle East. Having a very high content of silver, combined with steady weight, it turned out to be a very good coin for use in global trade. Remains in mint today as a collector’s item, and is considered an icon of Austria’s imperial power and historical importance.

Chinese Silver Panda

Among the modern bullion coins, the “Chinese Silver Panda” series issued starting from 1982 has become a classic example. A new picture of the giant panda will be featured on the reverse side of the coin every year in varying natural settings. The obverse side of the coin always shows Beijing’s “Temple of Heaven”, thus connecting each coin with Chinese cultural heritage.

This panda coin is really great to be collected due to the change in frequent design. It really becomes a good opportunity to have such a rare creature raised by these coins that do not only respect the national symbol of China but also raise awareness about the conservation of this specie. Thus, every minted coin is an artistic investment carrying cultural values.

Wanted among the coin collectors, not only because of majesty in presentation but also because they tell an important history, stories of national pride, and moments of economic importance, these coins serve as the epitome of artisan craftsmanship of a certain era, and even cultural preference, making for a worthwhile investment and collectible.

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