United States Twenty-dollar Gold Piece 1905 - 1911

This United States Twenty-dollar Gold Piece, made by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, it’s a little over an inch in diameter. The process of making coins, or medals, shares some common ground with printmaking, requiring a mastery of the techniques of relief and intaglio. Look at the figure of Liberty striding forth, sunlight radiating from behind. The engraver has expertly sculpted the surface to create different planes that catch the light, giving the coin its radiant sheen and sense of depth. The figure is rendered in high relief, meaning she really pops out from the background. Notice the folds of her gown and the details in her hair, all achieved through precise and skillful carving. There's a real sense of movement, like she's about to step right out of the coin. Thinking about art as a conversation through time, maybe Saint-Gaudens was inspired by classical Greek sculpture? A coin is something so small, but it can carry such big ideas about a country. It's not just money; it's a little piece of art that everyone can hold.