Terminology question on "wheatback cents."
CaptHenway
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Finishing up my manuscript on the Cents of 1922, and in editing noticed that I have referred to the strong single line at the bottom of each wheat ear as variably a "stem" or a "stalk." I guess I have always used either term, and it probably does not matter, but was wondering what you all call it?
Is there a botanical term?
TD
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
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Regarding botanical nomenclature, we use the term 'peduncle'.
Here. It’s a stalk
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Always heard it referred to as "stalk."
Not sure if "stalk" refers to the whole thing, including the kernels of wheat and the thin strands above those, or just the stiff piece that holds it all up above the ground.
I think most lay people would relate to stalk. I doubt it matters. I think more of flowers with regards to the term stem.
Here’s a definition and another picture
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Stalk.
It looks like Gonzer is most correct, but I would not prefer that term when reading your manuscript. I think I would use "stem". There is already the use of stem/no stem in the half dollars relating to olive branches. I think no one would question the use of stem. For me personally I think of "stalk" to include the kernels and wheat ears. So if you are wanting to describe the very bottom of the wheat ear design on the back of the wheat cent the term "stem" will direct me to that point immediately.
Thank you all. I guess I will go with stem.
@CaptHenway ,
Erik P Newman called them 'stems' in 1968
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I agree with using the term 'stem'. Corn is usually referred to a stalks. Cheers, RickO
Go with the term "Feather Penny" which was what they were called when I was a kid.
I’m going to start using peduncle every chance I get.
I have always called it stalk, but as long as everyone knows which element you are speaking of when you say stem or stalk, then does it really matter? Of course, it provides debate for no apparent reason supposing all know which element you speak of when using either term.
Jim
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I think stem would be best.
Stalk or stem will work. I usually say lines in the stalk.
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I used to farm with my Dad and we grew a lot of wheat here in Kansas.
In fifty years I've never heard a farmer call a wheat stem a 'stalk'.
I've never heard a farmer use the term 'wheat ear' either.
Wheat has a head in which the kernels are contained, corn has ears and like ricko said stalks.
Stem.
Stem it is!
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I thank you for your first hand report. When I worked for Coin World I did take an apartment about ten yards from a winter wheat field, but I did not pay it very close attention other than the day one Spring when I came home from work and the farmer was attempting to plant soybeans amongst the wheat using a crop duster. At the end of each pass he pelted the apartments, and our parking lot. Fortunately there was no damage to my car that I would have had to try to explain to an insurance adjuster.
So, technically, every 1909-1958 Lincoln cent is a "Three-headed coin?"
Serious question: What did you call the random, wispy, thread-like filaments that come off of the tops of the kernels, which Brenner here stylized into parallel lines. I looked them up and they are called "awns," but I had never heard the term before.
Stem for the part below the head of wheat. The whole plant is a stalk of wheat.
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CaptHenway- Sorry I didn't realize there had been a reply, I usually just post on sports talk
so I forgot about this one.
We called them 'whiskers'. I know that's not the technical term.
Pull down on them gently and that's one way to 'separate the wheat from the chaff'.
I'd call that portion a stem. As noted stalks usually reference an entire corn plant.