Good thing they didn't circulate much too as detecting the level of wear might be rather difficult, especially drawing lines of differentiation between wear and strike where luster is indifferent too.
<< <i>Let me clarify... Ike is an ugly lookin dude, and its a big coin... just too much ugliness goin on... don't care if its toned >>
Nice clarification! Fairly simple but then, from the original post, I expected as much.
Yes, it is a big coin but it isn't any bigger than a Morgan or a Peace. As a matter of fact, it actually weighs less than either of those two.
As far as ugly, I guess that's up to you. I personally don't get any satisfaction in declaring that one or another coin is ugly but you obviously have some hidden agenda in making such a statement.
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
Just to clarify, if you did not know....."The Eagle has landed" is probably a phrase that you have heard.The landing craft of the first manned landing on the moon was called "The Eagle" (Apollo 11).
The reverse of the Ike is a version of the Apollo 11 insignia. The symbolism is pretty obvious, the symbol of the US, an eagle, landing on the moon. What is interesting about the eagle on the Apollo 11 patch and on the Ike is that it is holding just an olive branch in its talons. Throughout US history our eagle has usually been shown with both an olive branch, the symbol of peace, and a quiver of arrows. Take the Kennedy half dollar and the Washington quarter as examples. Both show versions of an eagle with both a quiver of arrows and an olive branch either in the talons or just underneath in the case of the Washington. The symbolism has always been taken to mean that while the US is a peaceful nation we are also capable and willing to forcibly defend ourselves.
When it came to the Ike and the first landing of man on the moon we took a different approach. We were in the midst of the Cold War and did not want to give the USSR the impression that we intended to militarize the moon. The Cuban missile crisis had been a turning point in 1962. Apollo 11 was set to land on the moon in "The Sea of Tranquility" in July 1969. Every attempt was made by the US to make the race to the moon a peaceful one and even while we celebrated our win by commemorating it on a large heavy dollar coin we de-clawed our national symbol, no arrows for the eagle on the moon.
Some of the subtleties of the early Ike's are only now being recognized as evidenced in the recent discovery of the Friendly Eagle patterned reverse 1971 D die. The symbolism and messages sent by the Eisenhower dollar are truly fascinating. Another fact is that after most of the world stopped making "real" money, that is they stopped making or backing their money with gold and silver there was no longer a need for large heavy coins. The double eagle and the silver dollar were both discontinued in the mid 1930's. Both of these coins had the general size and weight of the famed "Piece of Eight" or "Pillar Dollar" which was minted and backed by the then world dominating Spaniards. It is interesting to note that it is this coin that was emulated by the Eisenhower dollar. There was no longer a good reason for the dollar coin to be large & bulky, weighing an ounce or more. So while de-clawed our Eagle was still there to send a message. "We are the new world power".
<< Its big, ugly, and just plain ugly! What say you?>>
I say you are a lot like your icon...except maybe with your head in the sand! Is that an ostrich or an emu? No matter,...every one has their own thoughts about certain coins and political and historical events. You have voiced yours, and I have to agree with Lee,....why go slamming some one else's likes unless you have a hidden agenda or enjoy starting fires?
However, I do appreciate the opportunity to point out some positive aspects that I see in this coin.
Frank Gasparro had a very special job. His job was to depict certain people and events to be pressed into round, blank metal pieces that would be forever scrutinized and and looked upon for hundreds of years after he has passed. The Ike Dollar was his prized accomplishment. Here, he got the chance to depict a five star general who was Army Chief of Staff and Supreme Allied Commander in World War II. As the President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower also had the unique honor of being sought as a candidate for the nation's top office by BOTH major political parties!! He later served as the president of Columbia University and Cammander of NATO.
HAPPY VETERAN's DAY, Ike!
For thousands of years, man has been looking at the moon wondering if we would ever walk on it. This has to go down as one of mankind's "Dreams Come True!". To depict this momentous event in history (in a peaceful manner as mentioned in DRG's earlier comments) was quite a challenge and accomplishment.
Combining perhaps the greatest military hero of our country along with one of the greatest single accomplishments of all mankind and to have the responsibility and honor of depicting them both on one coin is mind boggling!
Frankly, (pardon the pun) I think he did one hell of a job!
You may see an ugly coin....I see a beautiful and historical piece of USA (and world) history depicted on the Last Of The Big Silver Dollars! JMHO
Just to clarify, if you did not know....."The Eagle has landed" is probably a phrase that you have heard.The landing craft of the first manned landing on the moon was called "The Eagle" (Apollo 11). >>
Just to clarify, if you did not know....."The Eagle has landed" is probably a phrase that you have heard.The landing craft of the first manned landing on the moon was called "The Eagle" (Apollo 11). >>
I have a full set of Ikes and I like them even though Ike is certainly a goofy looking dork. That big bald head makes him look as goofy as Lyle Lovett, or as another poster mentioned Donald Duck.
<< <i>I have a full set of Ikes and I like them even though Ike is certainly a goofy looking dork. That big bald head makes him look as goofy as Lyle Lovett, or as another poster mentioned Donald Duck. >>
I think Lyle Lovett had a full head of hair!
One good think about the IKE is that he may be bald but he ain't wearing no wig!
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
Frankie's are uglier. At least Ike doesn't look like he has a toothache!
Salute the automobile: The greatest anti-pollution device in human history! (Just think of city streets clogged with a hundred thousand horses each generating 15 lbs of manure every day...)
Comments
From the side he looks like Donald Duck.
Tell Me These Are Ugly
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
<< <i>I do think the obverse of the Ike dollar is hard to look at, but the reverse is not bad. Ike was just not a pretty man.
I feel the opposite. Ike's obverse is quite nice but the reverse doesn't make any sense - an Eagle landing on the moon?
<< <i>
<< <i>I do think the obverse of the Ike dollar is hard to look at, but the reverse is not bad. Ike was just not a pretty man.
I feel the opposite. Ike's obverse is quite nice but the reverse doesn't make any sense - an Eagle landing on the moon? >>
Fair point...it's that whole symbolism thing I suppose. I guess that's why they call it art.
On the other hand, here's an UGLY coin...
I've posted it before but I just couldn't resist. I think it's really cool!
Good thing they didn't circulate much too as detecting the level of wear might be rather difficult, especially drawing lines of differentiation between wear and strike where luster is indifferent too.
NSDR - Life Member
SSDC - Life Member
ANA - Pay As I Go Member
<< <i>Let me clarify... Ike is an ugly lookin dude, and its a big coin... just too much ugliness goin on... don't care if its toned >>
LOL!
NSDR - Life Member
SSDC - Life Member
ANA - Pay As I Go Member
1. SBA dollar
2. Special Olympics Shriver Dollar
3. JFK 1/2
4. RFK Dollar
5. Jefferson 5 cent
The Louisiana pelican quarter is pretty bad.
<< <i>Let me clarify... Ike is an ugly lookin dude, and its a big coin... just too much ugliness goin on... don't care if its toned >>
Nice clarification! Fairly simple but then, from the original post, I expected as much.
Yes, it is a big coin but it isn't any bigger than a Morgan or a Peace. As a matter of fact, it actually weighs less than either of those two.
As far as ugly, I guess that's up to you. I personally don't get any satisfaction in declaring that one or another coin is ugly but you obviously have some hidden agenda in making such a statement.
The name is LEE!
Just to clarify, if you did not know....."The Eagle has landed" is probably a phrase that you have heard.The landing craft of the first manned landing on the moon was called "The Eagle" (Apollo 11).
The reverse of the Ike is a version of the Apollo 11 insignia. The symbolism is pretty obvious, the symbol of the US, an eagle, landing on the moon. What is interesting about the eagle on the Apollo 11 patch and on the Ike is that it is holding just an olive branch in its talons. Throughout US history our eagle has usually been shown with both an olive branch, the symbol of peace, and a quiver of arrows. Take the Kennedy half dollar and the Washington quarter as examples. Both show versions of an eagle with both a quiver of arrows and an olive branch either in the talons or just underneath in the case of the Washington. The symbolism has always been taken to mean that while the US is a peaceful nation we are also capable and willing to forcibly defend ourselves.
When it came to the Ike and the first landing of man on the moon we took a different approach. We were in the midst of the Cold War and did not want to give the USSR the impression that we intended to militarize the moon. The Cuban missile crisis had been a turning point in 1962. Apollo 11 was set to land on the moon in "The Sea of Tranquility" in July 1969. Every attempt was made by the US to make the race to the moon a peaceful one and even while we celebrated our win by commemorating it on a large heavy dollar coin we de-clawed our national symbol, no arrows for the eagle on the moon.
Some of the subtleties of the early Ike's are only now being recognized as evidenced in the recent discovery of the Friendly Eagle patterned reverse 1971 D die. The symbolism and messages sent by the Eisenhower dollar are truly fascinating. Another fact is that after most of the world stopped making "real" money, that is they stopped making or backing their money with gold and silver there was no longer a need for large heavy coins. The double eagle and the silver dollar were both discontinued in the mid 1930's. Both of these coins had the general size and weight of the famed "Piece of Eight" or "Pillar Dollar" which was minted and backed by the then world dominating Spaniards. It is interesting to note that it is this coin that was emulated by the Eisenhower dollar. There was no longer a good reason for the dollar coin to be large & bulky, weighing an ounce or more. So while de-clawed our Eagle was still there to send a message. "We are the new world power".
What say you?>>
I say you are a lot like your icon...except maybe with your head in the sand!
Is that an ostrich or an emu?
No matter,...every one has their own thoughts about certain coins and political and historical events.
You have voiced yours, and I have to agree with Lee,....why go slamming some one else's likes unless
you have a hidden agenda or enjoy starting fires?
However, I do appreciate the opportunity to point out some positive aspects that I see in this coin.
Frank Gasparro had a very special job. His job was to depict certain people and events to be pressed into round, blank metal
pieces that would be forever scrutinized and and looked upon for hundreds of years after he has passed. The Ike Dollar was
his prized accomplishment. Here, he got the chance to depict a five star general who was Army Chief of Staff and Supreme
Allied Commander in World War II. As the President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower also had the unique honor
of being sought as a candidate for the nation's top office by BOTH major political parties!!
He later served as the president of Columbia University and Cammander of NATO.
HAPPY VETERAN's DAY, Ike!
For thousands of years, man has been looking at the moon wondering if we would ever walk on it. This has to go down as
one of mankind's "Dreams Come True!". To depict this momentous event in history (in a peaceful manner as mentioned in DRG's
earlier comments) was quite a challenge and accomplishment.
Combining perhaps the greatest military hero of our country along with one of the greatest single accomplishments of all mankind
and to have the responsibility and honor of depicting them both on one coin is mind boggling!
Frankly, (pardon the pun) I think he did one hell of a job!
You may see an ugly coin....I see a beautiful and historical piece of USA (and world) history depicted on the Last Of The Big Silver Dollars!
JMHO
Brian
I Love
<< <i>"An eagle landing on the moon"?
Just to clarify, if you did not know....."The Eagle has landed" is probably a phrase that you have heard.The landing craft of the first manned landing on the moon was called "The Eagle" (Apollo 11).
>>
Thanks DRG.
<< <i>
<< <i>"An eagle landing on the moon"?
Just to clarify, if you did not know....."The Eagle has landed" is probably a phrase that you have heard.The landing craft of the first manned landing on the moon was called "The Eagle" (Apollo 11).
>>
Thanks DRG. >>
Some have clue about history
certainly a goofy looking dork. That big bald head makes
him look as goofy as Lyle Lovett, or as another poster mentioned
Donald Duck.
<< <i>I have a full set of Ikes and I like them even though Ike is
certainly a goofy looking dork. That big bald head makes
him look as goofy as Lyle Lovett, or as another poster mentioned
Donald Duck.
I think Lyle Lovett had a full head of hair!
One good think about the IKE is that he may be bald but he ain't wearing no wig!
The name is LEE!
(Just think of city streets clogged with a hundred thousand horses each generating 15 lbs of manure every day...)
i have an ugly sac that may get that vote.
did i say that? ;-)
<< <i>ugly but not the ugliest by a long shot.
i have an ugly sac that may get that vote.
did i say that? ;-) >>
Yes, you did and you just know you had to say it too. (I had one of those moments in the underwear and passwords thread the other day.)
NSDR - Life Member
SSDC - Life Member
ANA - Pay As I Go Member
I LIKE IKE