The coins of many European nations share a rich heritage going back centuries. American coins, by contrast, have undergone some sudden and momentous changes in just the last 150 years alone.
One of the most unexpected changes is the way Liberty has been depicted on American gold coins in particular. Lady Liberty first appeared as a female figure strongly influenced by Britannia and the French Marianne, but by the mid-1800’s American had started to look WEST for a new national identity - and the change was one of the most dramatic and indelible in the world history.
How feathered headdresses, Indian Princesses, and proud Native American Chiefs became symbols of freedom and the American spirit is a fascinating tale - a tale that involves a Gold Rush, a renegade President, a tragic death, and a pair of true artistic geniuses. All these and more are revealed in this fascinating new short video.