Creating the Iconic Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles
Manage episode 491602967 series 3589086
You won't believe the amazing creators story behind the Saint-Gaudens double eagle gold coins.
The driving force behind redesigning America's coinage was called many names...
"The Bull Moose"
"The Trust Buster"
"The Lion"
"TR"
"The Colonel"
"Telescope Teddy"
or even just plain old, "Teddy"
President Theodore Roosevelt wanted America to have coinage as beautiful as the ancient Greeks. And if it wasn't for this "human dynamo" of a President, we would have never seen the epic Saint-Gaudens double eagle gold coins.
I hope you enjoy this story, I had an absolute blast learning all about this incredible epic coin.
Summary
This conversation delves into the fascinating history of the St. Gaudens double eagle gold coin, exploring President Theodore Roosevelt's vision for redesigning American coinage, the artistic contributions of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, and the challenges faced during the design process. It highlights the controversies surrounding high relief designs, public reception, and the legacy of these coins in American history.
Takeaways
- President Roosevelt aimed to redesign American coinage for artistic value.
- Augustus Saint-Gaudens was chosen for his artistic prowess in coin design.
- The process of coin design faced bureaucratic challenges at the US Mint.
- High relief designs were initially impractical for mass production.
- The St. Gaudens double eagle became a symbol of American prosperity.
- Public reception of the new coins was mixed, with some criticism.
- The omission of 'In God We Trust' sparked public outcry and debate.
- Roosevelt defended the omission, citing a clerical error in the coinage act.
- The legacy of the double eagle continues to influence coin design today.
- The story of the double eagle reflects broader themes in American history.
Chapters
00:00 The Roosevelt Coinage Initiative
10:15 The Role of Augustus Saint-Gaudens
20:36 Challenges in Coin Design
30:58 The High Relief Controversy
40:43 The Legacy of the Double Eagle
51:01 Public Reception and Criticism
01:01:59 Final Thoughts on Coinage and History
https://atticcapital.com/
24 episodes