The art and background of coins have changed over time. The study of coins, which is called numismatics, has been changed a lot by some patterns.
These coins have changed how we think about and collect money today. They have new designs and ways of making coins that show different cultures and ideas. These eight designs for coins are so new and different that things will never be the same again.
1. Athenian Owl Tetradrachm (5th Century BC)
The Athens Owl Tetradrachm is one of the oldest and most well-known coins ever made. Athens made this silver coin. It has the helmeted head of Athena on one side and an owl on the other. The owl stands for knowledge and alertness.
This simple but strong design set the bar for future coins and was the first time that a national symbol was put on money. People who collect and study old Greek coins think it is a masterpiece because of how well it is balanced and designed.
2. Roman Denarius (211 BC)
The Roman Denarius was a big step toward making all money the same. The denarius system cleaned up the Roman economy and made it easy for people all over the empire to trade with each other.
A lot of the time, the pattern showed gods, famous people, or historical events. The coin with a picture of Julius Caesar on it is one of the most important in the history of collecting coins.
It was one of the first coins with a live person on it. This is the first time that pictures of kings have ever been on money.
3. Florin of Florence (1252 AD)
People in Europe first used the Florentine Florin, which was made of gold. It changed the way Europe’s economy grew in the Middle Ages.
There was a fleur-de-lis on one side of the Florin and John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence, on the other. The Florin was made of pure gold. It was a safe way for countries to trade with each other because it always had the same amount of gold in it.
Because the Florin was so famous, similar gold coins were made all over Europe. This had a big impact on the history of coins.
4. Spanish Piece of Eight (16th Century)
This was the first time that people around the world used a silver coin as money. It was called the “Real de an Ocho,” which means “Spanish Piece of Eight.”
A lot of trade took place between countries using this coin, which set the standard for how we share money today. It had the coat of arms of Spain and a simple but beautiful shield on it. Since silver always weighed the same and was pure, it was a safe way to trade.
This made Spain powerful all over the world. People all over the world still use the Piece of Eight as a model for how money should work.
5. United States Morgan Dollar (1878-1921)
The Morgan Dollar is one of the most popular coins in the United States. It was created by George T. Morgan and is named after him.
It has a picture of Lady Liberty on one side. It shows an eagle with wings spread out on the other side. Its complicated shape and meanings pointed to a time when the United States would be very wealthy. As a silver miner in the West, the Morgan Dollar was also very important.
Because of this, it is an important piece of economic and historical events. It’s beautiful, rare, and historically important, so collectors love it.
6. British Gold Sovereign (1817)
The British Gold Sovereign was another important coin that changed the way trade between countries worked. It was in 1817 that the Sovereign was brought back. On one side, it showed the king or queen, and on the other, it showed Saint George killing the dragon.
The artist Benedetto Pistrucci made it. It wasn’t hard to make, and the coin quickly became the standard for gold money that was used to buy things and keep money safe. Folks still like to collect and put money into Gold Sovereign coins, so they live on.
7. Indian Head Cent (1859–1909)
James B. Longacre made the Indian Head Cent, which is a great example of American coin art from that time. Back then, it was new and different for Liberty to wear a Native American hat, as seen on the front.
The coin brought people together and helped them understand other cultures at a time when the US was growing and changing quickly. With its long and interesting history, the Indian Head Cent is a classic American piece. People like how well-thought-out its style is.