   United
We Stand, then as now.Photos: "Bar Copper" imported from England by New York merchant in 1785. See our Photo Gallery of U.S. Colonials for other examples of coins and tokens from early America. |
PNNA Touched by National Tragedy
The PNNA joined many other organizations nationwide in
expressing our horror and grief over the tragic events of September 11, 2001,
while at the same time taking comfort in the remarkable response of the American
people that we witnessed. There was one reported case where a relative of a PNNA
member lost a friend or neighbor in the World Trade Center attack. On the
occasion of the fifth anniversary of the attacks, we continue to share these
feelings and to "never forget."
 | Willamette Coin Club Contributes to Relief Efforts |
| See "Liberty" (A story about an ancient coin) by Joseph Kleinman |
Numismatic Remembrance of National Tragedies
Medallic art and numismatic items have often reflected human triumphs and tragedies throughout most of recorded history, and no doubt will continue to do so. Many numismatic items of remembrance and/or items with a patriotic theme related to the September 11, 2001 events have been issued, and there will inevitably be a variety of items issued in remembrance of the space shuttle Columbia and crew. We hope that numismatic items such as these will suitably honor the dead and the resilient spirit of the living, while raising funds for worthy causes.
Here are some examples of how numismatic items have served as a remembrance of past national tragedies.
  George
Washington funeral — The "Father of
Our Country" died on December 14, 1799 at the age of 67.
Washington's stature at the time was such that his death had a profound
effect on the young nation. The silver funeral medal shown here
depicts Washington on the obverse and a funeral urn inscribed "GW" on the
reverse. Part of the legend on the obverse reads "HE IS IN GLORY,
THE WORLD IN TEARS." Also see The George Washington papers web site
at the University of Virginia,
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/exhibits/mourning/front.html |
  Civil
War / Abraham Lincoln — The Civil War
was the most destructive war in America's history (killing about 500,000
Americans including Confederate forces). Abraham Lincoln, the
president who led the Union through this difficult period, was himself
assassinated on April 15, 1865 at the age of 56. Many numismatic
items, including the well-known Civil War tokens, are associated with this
war. This is a recent reproduction of a medal honoring Lincoln. |
  World
War II — The
Second World War was the most destructive and deadliest war in the history
of the world, although it did not kill as many Americans (about 400,000)
as the Civil War. World War II had an enormous influence on
numismatics, and readers who are interested in this subject are referred
to the book World War II Remembered - history in your hands - a
numismatic study by C. Frederick Schwan and
Joseph E. Boling. The medal
shown here is a World War II victory medal. |
  Kennedy
assassination — The violent death of
John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, at the young age of 46, is an event
that is still etched in the memory of many Americans. Congress
responding almost immediately by authorizing a new half dollar coin
bearing Kennedy's portrait to replace the Franklin half dollar. The
Kennedy half, first issued in 1964, depicts the presidential seal on the
reverse. |
    On
these two privately issued Kennedy commemorative medals, the eagle's head
faces to the eagle's left, a sign of war or distress. |
  Apollo
1 fire — In the process of reaching
Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to
the Earth before the end of the 1960's, astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward
White and Roger Chaffee were killed in a fire during a launch pad exercise
on January 27, 1967. The silver medal shown here was issued in
remembrance of this event. Kennedy's goal was reached with Apollo 11
on July 20, 1969. |
  Challenger
disaster — January 28, 1986, when
seven astronauts were killed in the explosion of the space shuttle
Challenger shortly after launch, now stands as one of the two saddest
days for America's space program. Compounding the tragedy was the
realization that it could easily have been prevented. The silver
round shown here was issued in memory of the flight, and calls out the
stars as the "challenge of the future." |
  September
11, 2001 — The elongated cents
pictured here were issued by The Elongated Collectors (TEC) for the
ANA's anniversary convention in New York City,
July 31-August 4, 2002. The owl is the symbol of TEC. The
first design depicts the former World Trade Center twin towers while
honoring NYC police and firefighters. The second design depicts the
flag-raising at the WTC site after the attack. |
| Columbia disaster (February 1, 2003) — See Columbia memorial page. |
