3 cent silver... Star of David...... meaning?

cullenbryant

the 3 cent silver... has the unmistakeable star of David... anyone know any background info as to the use of the
6 pointed star on that coin.

Steve27

Sorry, but it's just a six pointed star, not a Star of David. However if you are looking for a Star of David on US money, check your dollar bills. The 13 stars above the eagle on the reverse are arranged in a six pointed star; although, whether or not it was truly intended to be a Star of David is open to debate.

1jester

I'm not convinced it's "only" a six-pointed star. That seems too much of a coincidence, given the prevalence of five pointed stars elsewhere, for example in the nation's flag. By the way, it seems that all the little stars on the borders of US coins (except the SLQ) are also six-pointed.

291fifth

George Washington originally wanted the US flag to have six pointed stars until Betsy Ross showed him it was easier to make five pointed ones if cloth was folded a certain way. The six pointed star as used on US coins is a design element. There is no deeper meaning.

Coxe

There was some speculation that six-pointed stars might be a tribute to Haym Solomon who was largely responsible for financing the American Revolution and the early US government, dying destitute as a result.

edited to add: The six-pointed star was somewhat the norm as a design element until the end of the 19th century. Even without further significance, a six-pointed star is much easier to make than a five-pointed one. It may have fallen out of favor for some uses (like on the Great Seal -- the arrangement was retained but the stars became 5-pointed ones) due to the massive Jewish immigration and mixed feelings about it. That would be blind speculation though, just a good guess.

Conder101

In european heraldry a "star" is always six pointed. The five pointed figure is termed as a "mullet" and is normally used to indicate a third son, or third whatever. With our British heritage the use of six pointed stars is not surprising. And the use of a five pointed star for things "federal" also makes some sense since our federal government is the third government. First British, second Articles of Confederation, and third the Constitutional government.

All stars used on US coins were six pointed until the Barber Quarter and Half came out. They had six pointed stars on the obverse and five pointed stars on the reverse. All stars on coins designed since then have had only five pointed stars.

LanLord

<< <i>In european heraldry a "star" is always six pointed. The five pointed figure is termed as a "mullet" and is normally used to indicate a third son, or third whatever. With our British heritage the use of six pointed stars is not surprising. And the use of a five pointed star for things "federal" also makes some sense since our federal government is the third government. First British, second Articles of Confederation, and third the Constitutional government. All stars used on US coins were six pointed until the Barber Quarter and Half came out. They had six pointed stars on the obverse and five pointed stars on the reverse. All stars on coins designed since then have had only five pointed stars. >>

I have always thought it interesting about the barber quarter and half, utilizing both 5 and 6 pointed stars. Maybe that was a way of giving into both the christian coalition and the strong new york jewish community. Ohh, I guess Chas. was about 100 years ahead of time eh?

mcheath

>>>>>>>The five pointed figure is termed as a "mullet" and is normally used to indicate a third son<<<<<<<<<<

im not seeing any third sons now that the nascar race is on.

Whizzard

<< <i>........All stars used on US coins were six pointed until the Barber Quarter and Half came out........ >>



Now THATs interesting trivia. Thanks!

CaptHenway

<< <i>

<< <i>In european heraldry a "star" is always six pointed. The five pointed figure is termed as a "mullet" and is normally used to indicate a third son, or third whatever. With our British heritage the use of six pointed stars is not surprising. And the use of a five pointed star for things "federal" also makes some sense since our federal government is the third government. First British, second Articles of Confederation, and third the Constitutional government. <STRONG>All stars used on US coins were six pointed until the Barber Quarter and Half came out. They had six pointed stars on the obverse and five pointed stars on the reverse. All stars on coins designed since then have had only five pointed stars</STRONG>. >>

I have always thought it interesting about the barber quarter and half, utilizing both 5 and 6 pointed stars. Maybe that was a way of giving into both the christian coalition and the strong new york jewish community. Ohh, I guess Chas. was about 100 years ahead of time eh? >>



Or, think "artistic liscense."

LastExitInNY

is that a muslim crescent on there too?

GoldenEyeNumismatics

not the star of david, but a pretty coin...

is scarsdale coin in the house to make a comment? He specializes in silver trimes

PerryHall

Just another six pointed star. The star of David is two interlocking triangles.

Coxe

<< <i>Just another six pointed star. The star of David is two interlocking triangles. >>



That is just a typical representation of the star of David, which is just a six-pointed star. It is doubtful, though, that the star on the 3c silver is anything more than a star, like a sherrif's badge. The arrangement of stars on the Great Seal is another matter though.

solid

It's a falling star.



Ken

Coxe

Very creative, Ken.

airplanenut

The star of David is two equilateral triangles at 180 degree rotations to one-another. It doesn't appear on any US coin or currency as far as I am aware.

cullenbryant

i learned a lot from the responses that i didn't expect. glad i asked.

airplanenut... is it just me or is the star on the 3 cent piece the same as the star of David (minus the intersecting lines)?