Sitting proudly on Liberty Island in New York Harbour, the Statue of Liberty is a 93 m tall neoclassical sculpture, donated by the people of France to the people of the United States.  Dedicated on October 28, 1886 after over a decade in construction, the statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by the creator of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Gustave Eiffel. It has become one of the most iconic creations of man

The Statue of Liberty is meant to represent Libertas, the Roman goddess, who was usually depicted carrying a rod and a pileus (soft hat), but Bartholdi has her holding up a torch, and carrying a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law). At her feet lie broken chains. The statue is formed from copper sheets over an iron & steel framework. The torch is gilded.

As it’s so iconic, you won’t be surprised to see it on numerous modern coins, the latest of which is a shaped-effort from MTB-PAMP. Standing around 85 mm in height and almost 32 mm in width, this is a two-ounce coin, issued for the Solomon Islands. Struck to a proof-like finish, and with colour applied to the reverse, this isn’t a dimensional coin, lacking high-relief, but does follow the outline of the statue very well. Hidden within the added flag, are depictions of famous Americans (from the top – Washington, Lincoln, Tubman, Sacagawea, Douglass, Anthony).

The obverse carries an excerpt from ‘New Colossus’ by Emma Lazarus, which is located on a plaque on the statue’s pedestal. The whole thing is very patriotic, and sure to appeal in the US. The coin has a mintage of 4,000 pieces, and comes nicely boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity. The serial number is also engraved on the coin’s obverse. Available from today.

LINKS: MTB-PAMP