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Buon Compleanno, Anthony de Francisci!

2021-07-12 16:00:00
Buon Compleanno, Anthony de Francisci!
Posted in: News, News

Buon Compleanno, Anthony de Francisci!

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of the most legendary coin designers in United States history: Anthony de Francisci. As his 1921 Peace Silver Dollar design was the very last of the Renaissance of American coinage, De Francisci is considered to have left a profound impact on our country’s coins.

 

Early Life

Like so many great Americans, de Francisci was an immigrant who came to the United States in pursuit of success. After spending his childhood cutting marble for his father in Italy, he moved to America at 18 years old in 1905. As soon as he attained American citizenship in 1913, he enrolled at Cooper Union, a prestigious art school in New York City.

During his time at Cooper Union, de Francisci studied under titans of the American Coin Renaissance, such as James Earle Fraser, designer of the Buffalo Nickel, Hermon MacNeil, designer of the Standing Liberty Quarter and Adolph A. Weinman, designer of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. After de Francisci’s studies were completed, he earned a teaching position at Columbia University and opened his own studio shortly thereafter.

Through the connections he made in school, de Francisci began sculpting for the United States Mint in 1920. His first design for the Mint was the Maine Centennial Half Dollar. As its obverse simply displayed the Maine Coat of Arms and its reverse bore resemblance to that of the Lincoln wheat cent, the design was not considered an outstanding example of creativity or artistry. De Francisci did not feel discouraged, though, as he soon embarked on the most important project of his entire artistic career.

 

The Peace Silver Dollar

In 1921, the iconic Morgan Dollar was retired in order to make room for a new silver dollar that would celebrate global peace following World War I. Eight of the finest sculptors in the world submitted design proposals for the new dollar, but de Francisci’s submission proved superior to all.

Because the contest was on such a tight timeline, de Francisci and the other sculptors had no time to spare in the creative process.

“I was unable, owing to the shortness of my time, to engage in the search of a model akin to my mind’s picture – that is, a professional model,” de Francisci explained.

In need of a model, de Francisci turned to his newly-wedded wife, Teresa. As he began rendering his sculpture, he soon realized that his lack of a professional model was no hinderance at all, as Mrs. de Francsci fit perfectly into his vision for the design. Rather than sculpting a design identical to Mrs. de Francisci’s face, he created the face of a woman whose appearance transcended cultural boundaries.

“You will see that the Liberty is not a photograph of Mrs. de Francisci,” he revealed to the Minneapolis Tribune in 1922. “It is a composite face and in that way typifies something of America. I did not try to execute an ‘American type’ or a picture of any woman. I wanted the Liberty to express something of the country – the intellectual speed and vigor and vitality America has, as well as its youth.”

It is safe to say de Francisci hit the mark on his design, as his rendition of Liberty is arguably the finest to ever appear on an American coin. Her evocative gaze captivates the viewer, burning with the intensity of a nation ready to strive forward. Resting upon her flowing hair is a majestic crown, the same she wears on the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

 

Later Works

After designing the Peace Dollar, de Francisci embarked on several other notable projects. For example, he designed the National Guard Bureau Insignia, which is still displayed proudly to this day. Three years later, he designed the Independence Flagstaff to commemorate America’s sesquicentennial anniversary. To this day, the flagpole stands in New York City’s Union Square.

A noted admirer of Abraham Lincoln, de Francisci crafted several works modeled after the beloved president. His most famous Lincoln project was a 1963 medal for the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of President Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.

 

A Numismatic Icon

For his prolific designs, Anthony de Francisci’s legacy looms large in American numismatics. His Peace Dollar design is still one of the most celebrated coin designs of all time and is even being commemorated with 2021 100th anniversary Peace Dollars. As we observe de Francisci’s birthday, we celebrate his achievements and the impact he left on our country’s coinage.