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United Nations Monetary Patters - 1946
Idea for an international coinage was conceived by Messrs. A. Kasoff and Hans M. F. Schulman in 1945 when the United Nations came into being, their thought being that if all nations had a common currency in addition to a common language (a subject then being discussed), they could work together in greater harmony.
Karl Gruppe designed a pattern, using Kosoff’s suggestion of a Four Freedoms reverse. In 1946 Medallic Art Co., New York, struck 313 specimens in 23.95 karat gold and 1000 each in silver and bronze.
A gold piece was to have been presented to Trygve Lie, then U.N. secretary-general, on steps of City Hall, New York City. It was hoped that after the New York presentation, the matter would be referred to an appropriate U.N. committee or to the World Bank and some action, leading to an interchangeable coinage, taken. The presentation, however, was not made.
A specimen had been sent to the Director of the Mint, who opposed its use, stating that it was Treasury Department policy to discourage manufacture of any item which looked so much like a coin. The plan was dropped while in its embryonic stage and dies were destroyed, according to Kosoff. The issuers had in mind a 1-ducat size coin. The pattern struck was not necessarily to be considered as a standard.
Obverse: Flags, l. to r., of France, England, United States, U.S.S.R. and National China (the Big Five); above, Monetary Unity / World Peace; below, United Nations / Essai · Ducaton / 1946
Reverse: Four allegorical figures around (at positions of 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock) representing the Four Freedoms; above, Freedom; in center, around, Religion · Want · Speech · Fear ·
HK-871 - Silver. Size 23.
HK-872 - Bronze.
HK-873 - Gold, .900 fine.
 
Image provided by John Dean
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