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Can an eagle legally be on a US cent today?
Zoins
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Michael Moran mentions that law forbids the eagle from appearing on the cent in his 2008 book "Striking Change: The Great Artistic Collaboration of Theodore Roosevelt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens." This was given as the reason why the Saint Gaudens eagle design wasn't used for the cent.
Of course, we have the Flying Eagle Cent from the mid-1800s so two things of interest came to mind: (a) is Michael Moran correct on that a cent cannot bear an eagle today, and (b) if so, which law in what year prohibited it?
Of course, we have the Flying Eagle Cent from the mid-1800s so two things of interest came to mind: (a) is Michael Moran correct on that a cent cannot bear an eagle today, and (b) if so, which law in what year prohibited it?
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Let's ask Roger Burdette.
<< <i>I am not aware of any such prohibition.
Let's ask Roger Burdette. >>
You'll have to ask him on the NGC coin forum since he is banned here.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
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<< <i>All I'm aware of is that there was a law that stated an eagle must appear on the circulating quarter, half, and dollar, unless superseded by a law authorizing a design coin omitting it (for example, bicentennial coinage, 50 state quarters, ATB quarters, Nat. Am. Sacs). Now that I think of it, there are no coins currently made for circulation that have an eagle on them that were once supposed to. If I recall, the Kennedy half is only made for collectors, and is not made for circulation through normal channels. >>
That's a good observation. People wanted Lady Liberty back so she was brought back on the reverse of the Presidential Dollars. Now we may need a campaign to get the eagle back.
<< <i>I have not heard of such a law.... why would the cent be singled out? Cheers, RickO >>
...it just doesn't make any cents
Erik
<< <i>I have not heard of such a law.... why would the cent be singled out? Cheers, RickO >>
i never heard of that one either. one never knows though.
<< <i>Michael Moran mentions that law forbids the eagle from appearing on the cent in his 2008 book "Striking Change: The Great Artistic Collaboration of Theodore Roosevelt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens." This was given as the reason why the Saint Gaudens eagle design wasn't used for the cent.
Of course, we have the Flying Eagle Cent from the mid-1800s so two things of interest came to mind: (a) is Michael Moran correct on that a cent cannot bear an eagle today, and (b) if so, which law in what year prohibited it? >>
The coinage act of February 1873, as codified in June 1874 (Section 3517), specifically bans the eagle
from the cent as well as certain other coins.
www.brunkauctions.com
<< <i>
<< <i>Michael Moran mentions that law forbids the eagle from appearing on the cent in his 2008 book "Striking Change: The Great Artistic Collaboration of Theodore Roosevelt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens." This was given as the reason why the Saint Gaudens eagle design wasn't used for the cent.
Of course, we have the Flying Eagle Cent from the mid-1800s so two things of interest came to mind: (a) is Michael Moran correct on that a cent cannot bear an eagle today, and (b) if so, which law in what year prohibited it? >>
The coinage act of February 1873, as codified in June 1874 (Section 3517), specifically bans the eagle from the cent as well as certain other coins. >>
Thanks! Great info. This is what makes these forums so great
Here's a quote from Section 3517:
<< <i>on the gold dollar and three-dollar piece, the dime, five, three, and one cent piece, the figure of the eagle shall be omitted. >>
from the cent as well as certain other coins.>>
I can't find it in today's United States Code.
However it is illegal to put an eagle as the main device on a nickel - 31 USC (d) (1). Jefferson and Monticello by law since 2005 are the design for the nickel.
<< <i>
<< <i>The coinage act of February 1873, as codified in June 1874 (Section 3517), specifically bans the eagle from the cent as well as certain other coins. >>
I can't find it in today's United States Code. >>
Has the Coinage Act of 1873 been completely superceded?
<< <i>However it is illegal to put an eagle as the main device on a nickel - 31 USC (d) (1). Jefferson and Monticello by law since 2005 are the design for the nickel. >>
I'm not surprised. There was strong lobbying from the State of Virginia for the Return to Monticello around that time period. This article quotes ANA Executive Director, Ed Rochette:
<< <i>Rochette believes the strong lobbying from Virginia legislators will secure Monticello's spot for the long haul. "I doubt the design will change," he says, with the exception of the three-year bicentennial. And if there ever is a permanent change, "It won't be in our lifetime," he concludes confidently. >>
Are we ready to have Monticello for the rest of our lifetimes?
I believe so. There was a complete recodification of the currency and coinage some years back. (I am tempted to say a FEW years, but probably would be wrong)
Under the previous version Spanish coins of less than 8 reals were receivable at post offices for 80% of face. The Coinage Act of 1965 was rewritten in the new version.
<< <i>I have not heard of such a law.... why would the cent be singled out? Cheers, RickO >>
My original thought was because the coins with eagles tended to be silver and gold while the cent was a base metal. The Coinage Act of 1792 said that the silver and gold coins would have an eagle on the reverse and the copper coins would have the denomination on the reverse.
<< <i>
<< <i>Has the Coinage Act of 1873 been complete superceded? >>
I believe so. There was a complete recodification of the currency and coinage some years back. (I am tempted to say a FEW years, but probably would be wrong)
Under the previous version Spanish coins of less than 8 reals were receivable at post offices for 80% of face. The Coinage Act of 1965 was rewritten in the new version. >>
The Coinage Act of 1965 explicitly repeals Section 9 of the Act of March 14, 1900 (31 Stat. 48; 31 U.S.C 32) and Section 3550 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 366).
It would be interesting to know if the Coinage Act of 1873 was specifically repealed, either in its entirety or the clause specifying the eagle design.
<< <i>I would wager the 141 year old statement has long been superseded... >>
We do have many government laws over 141 years old that haven't been superseded, and since the repealed sections are explicitly cited, it may be useful to find an explicit clause for this as well.