Jump to content

The Strange Coinage of Liberia


Al Kowsky

Recommended Posts

The west African country of Liberia was founded in 1813 by free & emancipated people of color with the purpose of resettling them back to Africa, & was funded by the American Colonization Society (ACS). The mortality rate of the emigrants arriving in Liberia was high, with more than half of them perishing between the years 1820-1843. In 1846 the first black governor, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, declared independence for the colony, but did maintain contacts with the ACS. The ACS along with several northern state governments continued funding the colony until 1870, but the U.S. government refused to make Liberia an American colony as requested by the ACS. President Taft made financial support to Liberia part of his foreign policy. Exploitation of natural resources was driving the countries' economy, especially the rubber industry. The Firestone Company was a big player in the Liberian rubber industry. The 19th century coinage of Liberia looks strangely American in appearance 😏. I sold the coin pictured below in CNG 483, it's a pattern 2 cent piece in neo-classical style with Liberty wearing a Phrygian hat on the obverse, & a striped shield on the reverse with the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST".

1690289977_Liberia1890Essai2cents.jpg.1fdc7f31c0b48f36c44cbfd8869c1941.jpg

Members of NVMIS FORVMS are welcome to post any coinage or paper money of Liberia ☺️.

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

48 minutes ago, ChrisB said:

I've managed to acquire a few over the years. I just realized these all need to be re-photographed. 

image.jpeg.7ad64e2fa1d01b4305fd871834521ec9.jpeg

 

and these 2 that fit in my space-themed set.

image.jpeg.a9e4c0492d76f557960e9d021383b94f.jpeg

 

 

image.jpeg.e4a82c8fd6a06fd57b293f367146d588.jpeg

 

 

Chris, Thanks for posting these Liberian coins ☺️. I struggle photographing old bronze coins too 😖...

  • Big Smile 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Rosa Potatos said:

The love of liberty brought them there. I love their symbol with the ship, beach, plough, palm and dove.

Rosa, So true, the love of Liberty & equality were the driving forces of the returning immigrants 😉. Despite being emancipated from their slave owners, the African-Americans of the 19th century still encountered racism & virtually no opportunities in America, so the idea of returning to Africa must have been enticing. Unfortunately not many of those returning immigrants could adapt to the continent of Africa.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, Kazuma78 said:

I have a couple pieces from Liberia, one from the famed @lordmarcovancollection:

bSUoO1jyRl6Bp197QB6U_16-Liberia-cent-1847-047600-coin.jpg.3250471a6bd98db156551ad968366571.jpgffhMGB4vT3qhLs4KsFWX_81824099_Large.jpg.f5eff0ae8d99c9395dc6050f4336b146.jpg1247814124_b47OQ0o7ReWZdmibmi1Z_9xrZGfHvSWm332lpAGGh_01c20184720LIberia20PF20full2001.gif.784e4a8723cbb56bb79193545ccdbe73.gif

And one I bought so I had the 2 Cent larger version in MS to pair with it:

20190409_200227.jpg.8432b3b20b494240b169b0ff68199891.jpg20190409_200249.jpg.b04686502c27920fb6d4c139ff00495f.jpg

Kazuma, Those coins are beauties 😲, thanks for posting ☺️. I'm guessing the slabbed 2 cent piece came from L.M. 😏.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Al Kowsky said:

Kazuma, Those coins are beauties 😲, thanks for posting ☺️. I'm guessing the slabbed 2 cent piece came from L.M. 😏.

I actually got the proof 1 Cent from him back in 2018 or 2019 (I can't remember when). It's gorgeous in hand. After that I felt compelled to also find the 2 cent version, which is when I bought the MS64 two cent.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...