DATE: February 3, 1825

TOWN: Philadelphia

SOURCE: National Gazette

NEW AMERICAN COIN

Mr. Editor -- There is at present in the Academy of Fine Arts, a beautiful bas-relief, executed, by order of the United States mint, by Mr. Persico, as the model for a die which is about to be sunk, and which will be used for impressing the next issue of coin.

The figure is a head of Liberty; and although it is evidently in the Grecian style of sculpture, still it is observable that the face is not Grecian. A head, characteristic of that nation, could not indeed have been satisfactory, since it would not be appropriate on the coin of America. The artist, therefore, has shewn not less judgment than taste, while, in the composition of a head purely American, he seems, like one of the masters of antiquity in a sister art to have selected the most beautiful features of the fair of our own country, and blended them in one harmonious whole. The character given to this relief is that of firmness and severity -- a beautiful idea, and very happily expressed. The hair is worthy of remark, not only from the graceful manner in which it is disposed, but because it is finished in that delicate style for which Conova has been so much celebrated--a fine specimen of which may be seen at the Academy, in the statue of Venus, by the distinguished artist. The drapery pleases by its simple neatness, and attracts the attention as little as possible, evidently with the view that it may rest on the countenance alone.

As the coin of a country is thought to indicate, in some measure, the state of the arts at the time, this disposition, on the part of the gentlemen of the mint, to improve it, cannot fail to be regarded by the public with pleasure and satisfaction.

The execution of the Die is committed to Mr. Kneass, an Engraver of merit, who, it is believed, will render the work worthy of the beautiful model from which it will be copied.

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