Inspiration for the Trade Dollar?

kaz · June 15, 2011 11:30AM

These early 19th century tokens feature a female figure seated on a bound bale, and holding a leafy branch; above her foot is a small patch of ocean (with a distant ship). I wonder if Barber was familiar with these and decided to take the idea further?

http://www.icollector.com/1813-Trade-and-Navigation-Token-Breton-962_i7789243

Zoins · June 15, 2011 11:41AM

Here's your token:

<< <i>1813 Trade and Navigation Token, Breton-962, NS-20A4. Br-962, NS-20A4. Copper, 33 mm. Pure Copper Preferable to Paper One Penny Token. The condition, with just a hint of original luster, is above the normal found for this token. The current Charlton catalog value is $475. Shipping: Coins & Currency (view shipping information) >>

Are there any Mint notes saying this is definitively the inspiration? Are there any other pieces with a similar design?

kaz · June 15, 2011 12:07PM

I really don't know. The resemblance was so striking, I thought I would post this to a wide audience. The TD patterns of 1872 pictured in the Bowers encyclopedia of silver dollars don't resemble this (except of course for the "winning" design.) Usually Liberty holds a pole with cap on it and sits on a pile of (something) but not a bale.

Meltdown · June 15, 2011 1:13PM

That's an interesting piece. It certainly seems like it could have been an inspiration for the Trade dollar design.
Maybe someone else can chime in...

Zoins · June 15, 2011 1:20PM

Does anyone know who designed and who issued this piece?

ricko · June 15, 2011 11:05PM

Interesting .... could be, we need some of the resident experts to chime in on this... Cheers, RickO

CaptHenway · June 15, 2011 11:34PM

I think it is fair to say that the Trade Dollar was inspired by earlier trade tokens, but it would be hard to say which one. In the U.S. Redbook you've got the 1787 Auctori Plebis token with a female sitting on a bale while leaning against an anchor, which suggests trade, and the 1794-95 Talbot, Allum & Lee cents with a female figure standing in front on a trade bale with "LIBERTY & COMMERCE" around. I would bet that there are other in the conder series that are closer to the Trade Dollar image.
TD

crypto79 · June 16, 2011 1:46AM

cool find KAZ

kaz · June 16, 2011 11:41AM

So,it appears Barber was designing in the tradition of trade tokens, forming a composite in his mind. It would be interesting to form a sub collection of these, I think. I've always admired the T,A&L tokens. Researching the Conders could be rewarding.
On this Navigation token, Liberty is holding a Caduceus in her left hand-- maybe signifying speed, as when it is held by Mercury?
(( The medical staff of Aesculapeus only has 1 snake entwining, but most medical societies prefer symmetry, it seems))

Zoins · June 16, 2011 11:49AM

Is her right hand holding an olive branch to signify peace, which was very important for trade?

kaz · June 16, 2011 1:06PM

"Extending the olive branch of peace." I think so.

I like the attempt to provide some perspective and depth to the design, something you don't see in coins very often: the angled bale, the distant ship; maybe the attempt isn't completely successful but it adds life. ((and engraving a tiny design by hand in bad light must be incredibly difficult)).

Inspiration for the Trade Dollar?

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