Depictions of Eagles on US Coins: Best and Worst?

csw · December 17, 2003 4:37AM

Man, I think that eagle flying in on the reverse of the (relatively) recent gold eagle series is butt-ugly. I think it's that left wing, that looks like it could stretch from here to Nome, Alaska.

In contrast, I really like the eagle on the reverse of the Stone Mountain commemorative.

I was wunderin' what others thought about depictions of this ubiquitous bird.

--csw

Hopefully here's a link to shylock's fabulous eagle collage!

IndianHeadMan · December 17, 2003 4:49AM

The sac eagle is the best

tradedollarnut · December 17, 2003 4:55AM

Bad:

Good:

Tassa · December 17, 2003 4:59AM

My two favorites are probably the eagle on the reverse of the Walking Liberty half and the one on the Ike.
IMO, the worst is the eagle on the reverse of the Bridgeport Commem.

dragon · December 17, 2003 5:01AM

I think some of the best depictions of eagles are on the Peace Dollar, the $2.50, $5.00, & $10.00 Indians, the Flying Eagle Cent, and the SLQ. Some of the worst IMO are on some of the very early US coins where it looks like a skinny, sick chicken.

dragon

cherrypickincoin · December 17, 2003 5:05AM

Worst: Small eagle on early dollars
Best: Eagle on SLQ's

Shamika · December 17, 2003 5:06AM

The eagle on the Connecticut commemerative is BEAUTIFUL!

Veep · December 17, 2003 5:19AM

Agree that the scrawny chicken-looking eagle on the early dollars is pitiful.

There are lots of great eagles. I'll cast a vote for the eagle on the high-relief $20 St. Gaudens.

BillJones · December 17, 2003 5:19AM

If you would like to "get out from under" that bad one, Trade Dollar, I'd be interested. You don't see those with breast feathers that often.

CalGold · December 17, 2003 5:20AM

Best: Gobrecht Dollar

Worst: Washington Quarter (looks like what it is -- a New Deal era gov't logo)

Most charming as folk art: 1794-5 flowing hair reverse
Most charming though pathetic: Early gold small eagle--looks like a duck

CG

pmh1nic · December 17, 2003 5:28AM

I love my Franklins but in my opinion it's got the worst depiction of the eagle.
The best is the St. Gaudens Double Eagle.

Cladiator · December 17, 2003 5:30AM

Best eagle ever: Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Close second place: Peace Dollar

LanLord · December 17, 2003 5:47AM

I really like the flying eagle as depicted on the reverse of the Gobrecht dollar and the flying eagle cent.

I don't like the one on the St. Gaudens double eagle, the wings look out of proportion to the size of the bird (way too big). I am also not fond of the Sac eagle.

fountainheadgold · December 17, 2003 6:35AM

goose3 · December 17, 2003 6:38AM

we need shylock to post his collage of eagles!!!!!!
Of course I like the FE/Gobrecht myself.

keets · December 17, 2003 6:42AM

TDN hit the worst smack dab on the head. my favorites are that 1870's pattern with Liberty and an eagle on the obverse and the reverse depiction on the Lincoln commem.

al h.

Russ · December 17, 2003 6:49AM

The best:

Russ, NCNE

dragon · December 17, 2003 6:59AM

Well of course it is Russ...........I often see eagles flying with a shield stuck to their breast, tiny little wings, and grasping a bunch of goofy arrows in its talons, very realistic

dragon · December 17, 2003 7:00AM

JoeHolt · December 17, 2003 7:09AM

I personally love the look of the 1oz proof plat eagles with each year haveing a different look

jeffnpcb · December 17, 2003 7:16AM

Best: Bridgeport Comm. 50 cent
Worse: Morgan dollars

SarasotaFrank · December 17, 2003 7:29AM

I've always liked this design.

koynekwest · December 17, 2003 3:48PM

Best-Walker rev, closely followed by the Flying Eagle cenT. Good ones-SLQ and Peace and SAC dollar.Worst? Take your pick.

jcping · December 17, 2003 3:51PM

The best: standing liberty quarter
The worst: Franklin half

cladking · December 17, 2003 7:51PM

<< <i>Well of course it is Russ...........I often see eagles flying with a shield stuck to their breast, tiny little wings, and grasping a bunch of goofy arrows in its talons, very realistic

>>

The tough part is trying to land with the banner unfurled and not dropping any of the skewered stars.

boiler78 · December 17, 2003 9:48PM

IMO the best eagle design is the "defiant eagle" first used on this 1877 pattern half dollar. The design was used again on Morgans Schoolgirl pattern dollar. A slightly modified version can be seen on the reverse of the Lincoln commemorative and the Pan Pac quarter eagle.

The worst depiction of an eagle on a coin IMO is seen on this German pattern 25 pfenning. I realize that this thread calls for the worst eagle on a US coin but this one is just soooo bad I felt compelled to share it!

mintluster · December 17, 2003 10:27PM

That little itty bitty eagle on the Franklin half dollar is pretty dumb looking (I think they put it there because they were required to have an eagle on it by law).

mintluster · December 17, 2003 10:29PM

I love the one on the Morgan reverse and I love the standing liberty half dollar reverse eagle also.
They are both beautiful IMHO.

CoinHusker · December 17, 2003 10:58PM

Worst: the eagle on the 1972-D Ike. It looks like a cross between an eagle and a duck BUT that German 25 pfenning is ugly. That eagle looks like something from a Warner Bros. cartoon after Bugs slips it a micky.

cladking · December 17, 2003 10:58PM

The best is the bust half w/50 cents below eagle. There are several contenders for the worst but
as a depiction of an eagle the Washington has to rank. Fortunately it works a little better as a coin
design.

Gilbert · December 18, 2003 12:41AM

SarasotaFrank,

I second your selection, and thanks for stealing my thunder. I cherish the opportunity to remind us of the "great work" that got Laura Gardin Fraser's design accepted by everyone except the final decision maker. Fortunately, it was issued as the commen you imaged (an my icon) so as to continually remind us what our Washington quarter SHOULD have looked like.

SportsModerator · December 18, 2003 12:52AM

The eagles on the 83 and 84 Olympic dollars are quite attractive IMHO

Baley · December 18, 2003 12:53AM

The best is the bust half w/50 cents below eagle

Like this?

I know it's going to be a great day when it starts with Cladking and Baley agreeing about something!

mdwoods · December 18, 2003 12:55AM

A slightly modified version can be seen on the reverse of the Lincoln commemorative

The eagle is the reason I like the Lincoln commem so much.

LucyBop · December 18, 2003 1:05AM

TO ALL YOU CATS WHOM SINGLE OUT THE FRANKIES EAGLE.......

Merry Christmas.

mdwoods · December 18, 2003 1:06AM

And the Franklin eagle of course.

MacCrimmon · December 18, 2003 1:37AM

The pitiful Type 1 Frankie Eagle!!

The best? Too many to list since I'm at work...but, most are above in this thread.

Lakesammman · December 18, 2003 1:42AM

Would agree with Boiler - the defiant eagle is my favorite, followed closely by the Gobrecht/FE design.

Boiler, that second one looks very sea sick....makes me nauseated to look at it!

Russ · December 18, 2003 2:22AM

<< <i>I often see eagles flying with a shield stuck to their breast >>

Yeah, Dragon, but you have to admit that is a damned nice shield on that example.

Russ, NCNE

mgoodm3 · December 18, 2003 2:28AM

Dang, the Franklin eagle is so pathetic, I forgot there was one there. I like the flying eagle.

SportsModerator · December 18, 2003 2:31AM

That's an eagle on the right to the bell on a Franklin?

Looks more like a moth on steroids

posted to pull Lucy's chain

LucyBop · December 18, 2003 2:32AM

<< <i>posted to pull Lucy's chain >>

I'll pull your 'Frankie'!

SportsModerator · December 18, 2003 2:33AM

ms70 · December 18, 2003 2:35AM

We need a pic of the Half Disme Eagle. I think it's pretty neat.

LanLord · December 18, 2003 2:43AM

<< <i>We need a pic of the Half Disme Eagle. I think it's pretty neat. >>

MS70, yes, but aren't you glad your lady doesn't look like the front of the half disme? Oooohh scary.

Russ · December 18, 2003 2:45AM

Russ, NCNE

Hoot · December 18, 2003 3:12AM

Best: a couple come to mind but the new eagle on the 2003 platinum proof coins' reverse is outstanding.

Worst: The fricaseed chicken of Barber's quarter and half designs. Hands down.

Hoot

RiffRaff1967 · December 18, 2003 3:35AM

My favorite has always been the SLQ. Second - peace dollar.
I actually do not like the eagle on the Morgan Dollar. It looks Nazi Germany to me.

pmh1nic · December 18, 2003 3:56AM

Gold Eagles

SportsModerator · December 18, 2003 4:01AM

Nice aviary Pmh

ms70 · December 18, 2003 4:19AM

Thanks Russ! Great pic, is that yours?

pmh1nic- Nice post!

Depictions of Eagles on US Coins: Best and Worst?

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