Motivation for the IHC design

Mercfan

Given that the mid-19th century was an era in which hostility between white settlers and many native American tribes (particularly west of the Mississippi) was an increasing problem for both groups, what motivated the introduction of the IHC design? Was this in part a public relations move by the U.S. government? Was it received well by any native Americans? Was it received well by non-native peoples in the U.S.?

It seems to me that--in terms of historical timing--the introduction of the Buffalo nickel makes a lot more sense than that of the IHC.

Can any historians enlighten me regarding the circumstances behind the introduction of the IHC?

291fifth

The coin actually depicts Liberty wearing an Indian headdress. The coin was designed on the east coast, far away from the areas where Indians lived in any large numbers. Most Indians who had lived east of the Mississippi were "removed" during the 1830's.

The $1 and $3 gold coins of this era also depicted Liberty wearing and Indian headdress so the cent design wasn't really very innovative.

The design probably owes its origin to an eastern romanticism regarding the Indians. There is plenty of other art from this era whose origin seems to stem from this eastern romanticism.

Newmismatist

The Motivation was to make a coin that the Mint could fully strike for producing the new small cent which had been introduced in 1857 (the 1856 was a pattern and NOT issued for general circulation to the public) - the Mint could NOT fully strike the Flying Eagle design and to create a coin that could be mass produced for commerce they had to change the design.

Mark

Newmismatist:

Don't forget the scrawny eagle patterns. I presume the mint could have sturck those in full detail. But, for once, the selected coin, the IHC, surely exceeded the rejected patterns, the scrawny eagle, in beauty!

mark

Newmismatist

<< <i>Newmismatist:

Don't forget the scrawny eagle patterns. I presume the mint could have sturck those in full detail. But, for once, the selected coin, the IHC, surely exceeded the rejected patterns, the scrawny eagle, in beauty!

mark >>



Mark EVERYONE HATED those flying chickens!

Mark

Hey, I think they are cute...albeit in a scrawny fashion! More seriously, I wonder if the designer of those miserable eagles felt a tad ashamed of his work....

Mark