It is no doubt that the numismatic hobby has been inspired by women throughout history. Regardless if coins feature or honor a specific woman conceptually, the designs are inspired by them. Consider the Morgan Silver Dollar for example. Although the silver dollar is known as being one of the most collected and visually appealing coins ever struck, the obverse features and was inspired by a woman with a profile so “perfect” that George T. Morgan could not help but use her on the coin.
While we are not necessarily talking about the woman behind the Morgan Silver Dollar, we are going to cover an inspirational figure that has made her way onto coins throughout the world. Continuing on through our journey to cover the top 100 Women on Coins series as published by Whitman Publishing, author Ron Guth takes us along in his exploration of this top 50 pick.
#43 - Victory
Sometimes referred to as Victoria, Victory was the Roman incarnation of the goddess Nike and the personification of victory. The version featured in this Greatest Women On Coins series is the modern version while being different from versions that old Greek and Roman styles deem religious in meaning. The modern version of Victory is used and has been used on coins by designers and engravers for the amplification of artistry. Her figure most famously has appeared as inspiration for well-known designer Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The 1907 $20 gold piece from United States coinage featured Victory although it was modified without wings and instead was holding the famous olive branch of peace and torch. The design was produced from 1907 to 1933 and currently resides on the American Gold Eagle bullion coins that began in 1986.
Winged depictions of Victory can be found on more world coins, including the 1,000-lire coin of San Marino from 1990. It can also be found on the Mexican gold 50-peso from 1921 to 1947. The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, features Victory driving a four-horse chariot at the top. The statue atop the gate was completed in the early 1790s and was known more so as the Peace Gate.
Collecting difficulty according to author Ron Guth is easy. The gold pesos mentioned above are easy to get although they are more expensive.