What is your favorite Eagle on US coinage?
BryceM
Posts: 11,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
While there are tons of designs, there are some basic themes which repeat. For example, the Heraldic Form with upward open wings, arrows, leaves, and +/- a shield is seen on many coin designs with minor variations (Kennedy half dollar, Liberty Head gold coinage, ASE, Morgan, PanPac, Barber quarter/half, etc.)
I really like eagle on the Peace dollar. I live around plenty of bald eagles, and the majority of the time, that's how they look. Sure, they're plenty beautiful when they fly (Sacagawea, SLQ, St. Gaudens), but the various transitional poses (Stone Mountain, Eisenhower, Walker, Lincoln & Alabama, Washington quarter, and the eagles of the Seated series) look a tad "forced" to my eye - especially the Walker.
I like the small eagles on early coinage though. I'll admit that they're an acquired taste. At first glance, they look like slightly majestic chickens maybe.
My least favorite is easy - the ridiculous thing on the reverse of the Franklin Half. How contrived.
Your favorite?
Comments
This is a great question and thread topic. Two eagles came to mind immediately and then I went to my Red Book to check out the modern commemoratives to see if others might join the flock, as well. My most recent Red Book is from 2008 so that is where I stopped for eagle inspiration, but no other coins were added.
I adore the early eagles similar to the one you have posted along with the reverse of the Connecticut commemorative. The Connecticut might be a controversial choice given its extreme modern or post-art deco/mid-century feel. But, I like what I like.
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Always a good topic. These two stand out for me as being excellent examples of our National bird.
Texas Commemorative for sure.
Coin Photographer.
Even the same eagle can be different.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
I gotta go with the Peace Dollar. Always loved them. I feel it’s the most accurate rendition, JMO 😎
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The commemorative halves have so many interesting eagles. I like the unusual ones that have a period Deco look, like Connecticut and Bridgeport. Not majestic eagles like on other coins (which are great) but just a glimpse into the design culture of the period.
Ohhhhh good topic!
So many majestic birds to choose from, but….
My fave:
While I'm not that much of a modern coin collector I really like the eagle design on the 1987 Constitution $5 gold commemorative coin.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I don't have a favorite, but here are some interesting ones.
Several of Morgan's patterns form the 1870s make my back hurt.
The first time I saw the Bridgeport commemorative in the Red Book, I was shocked by how 'modern' it looked.
(Neither of these are my coins.)
Young Numismatist
Love your poster @BryceM
... and so many representations to love ... but unless I am missing something, one of my absolute favorites isn't on there
This one ... not my coin or image
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Although not a coin but I’ve always loved the 1969 Eagle Nest set. It has some wonderful eagle depictions…
….and it was for eduction purposes…B)
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
With out a doubt, my favorite eagle would have to be Saint Gaudens rendition on the reverse of his $10. That is, however, not considering pattern designs as well.
Probably one of these, I’m not sure which one though.
Mr_Spud
While I enjoy the classic renditions, I do appreciate the 2022 ASE version as a sharp design.
Late edit to add photo:
The heraldic eagle on the draped bust series has always been my favorite.
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
1906 USPI proof peso
My favorite among many great Eagle coins, is the Eagle on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Always has been 'my bird'. Copied this one to post. Cheers, RickO
Commems and Early Type
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
That looks like an 1892 Tripled Die Reverse. Did you realize that? Very pretty 🤩👍👍
Probably one of these two if I had to choose. Funny, I love the Bald Eagle design on US coins but the series I'm most involved with (Middle Date LC's) doesn't have that design element...
edited to add... OK, for design elements incorporating an eagle... and since I'm looking for the 1-year type...
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I’ve been looking for one of these also, with vivid bullseye toning. Probably gonna pay a premium if I can ever locate one.
Yeah, finding this issue in mid-grades (XF/AU) and with nice toning has been a struggle. Most pieces have either been dipped out or cleaned in some way. I poached the image above from an auction where the seller noted "obverse cleaning".... and it was... and harshly so! "... done, done, on to the next one..."
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Uh...er.... wait.... NO !!
I think these 2 are way underappreciated... Although some might not consider the Feuchtwanger a US coin...
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Both my coins.
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Yes, I like this one the most. The $20 St. Gaudens is a very close runner-up.
Impossible to pick one.
A few of my favorites:
Also the flying eagle cent, don’t currently have one.
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Maybe the Walking Liberty half but there are several I like and glad there are variations.
*Borrowed photo
Pocket Change Inspector
This ultra-modern 1936 Bridgeport is a contender, as is the 1984 Olympic dollar. I also like the eagle on the Prisoner of War commem, but I don't have a photo.
Put me down for the FEC Eagle, but on a Gobrecht dollar.
Great topic but impossible for me to pick one.
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I sort of like the following three a little more, mainly because of amount of fine details and also the fact that one of them represents family instead of the lone eagle normally found on the rest of the coinage.
Just my two cents as always.
Cheers.
**Edited to rotate and re-orient pics
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
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I like the double eagle as well. Here are two examples from the "D" mint...
I really like the eagle flying "onward and upward" on the reverse of the Gobrecht Dollar (1836 original) by Titian Peale.
Since there are a few non-circulating coins etc. posted, this eagle was engraved at the US Mint by Robert Scot in 1798, in a successful effort to support the Quasi-War:
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Definitely the walker for me.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
For those of us that actually
live around Eagles…Bald, Golden or otherwise….there can be little debate that the Walking Lib Half reverse is the most realistic…followed closely by the SLQ Eagle…
I think the one on the back of the Sac dollar is my favorite, followed by the St. Gaudens, then the SLQ.