Eagles on Coins

Metalsmith

Most people know that when you see a statue of some one on a horse the poster of the horse has some meaning, such as if one leg is raised the person on the horse was wounded in battle or both front feet off the ground the person was killed in battle. Is there any symbolic meaning to how an eagle is depicted on a coin?

Early eagles have a long neck and are thin. Does that just mean the artist wasn't good at drawing eagles? Some show an eagle with wings spread, some with wings closed. Some eagles are shown in flight.

Does any of this in the design have a meaning?

Ms

derryb

No, varying looks are only artistic attempts of depicting the eagle. I'm sure coin designers strive for the best looking eagle.

LanLord

The foot which is holding the arrows has been stated to indicate the state of the nation (war or peace), but I don't know how solid the evidence is.

Dentuck

In their book American Silver Eagles: A Guide to the U.S. Bullion Coin Program,
John Mercanti and Miles Standish include a spread of various eagles used on U.S.
coins over the years.



(Please forgive the horrible BlackBerry snapshot!)

coinsarefun

I like the new ASE book, well worth getting

Twobitcollector

I recieved it for Christmas it was a great gift

tahoe98

<< <i>I like the new ASE book, well worth getting



>>



...i didn't notice the sac eagle.