Twisted Washington 25c Reverse
messydesk
Posts: 20,343 ✭✭✭✭✭
One of the things I try to figure out on coin designs when photographing them is which way is up. With most designs, there is some horizontal or vertical reference hidden in the design somewhere that gives a pleasing look. Wreath tips on the Morgan reverse, bottoms of stars 1 and 13 on some designs, the tips of wheat stalks and bottoms of the I and final T in IGWT on a Lincoln cent, etc.
The Washington 25c eagle reverse defies this. There are 7 lines drawn below on reasonable references. There are two parallel pairs -- wing tips and wreath tips, and Q-R and eagle's wrists. No other lines are parallel to each other, and a line from the center of the wreath knot and center of the coin is not perpendicular to any (almost to U-A). As a result, the darn thing always looks rotated incorrectly.
I invite OCD types to lose sleep over this illustration, in which none of the lines drawn are perfectly horizontal.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Comments
This disturbs me as well.
I just decided the arrows must be horizontal and let it go.
I've noticed this for years with respect to WQs and find it can be infuriating when orienting an image.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Looks like you got it right despite the issues.
I tried to tell them they should use Laura Fraser's design ! ! !
1947-P & D; 1948-D; 1949-P & S; 1950-D & S; and 1952-S.
Any help locating any of these OBW rolls would be gratefully appreciated!
I am very happy that I am not afflicted with OCD... and not being a coin photographer, I would not even have noticed the issues outlined in the OP. I will just go on my merry way and admire the pictures posted by the experts....
Cheers, RickO