Current ANA Journal Features Research on American Indians on Paper Money
Other articles in fifth edition focus on electrotypes and so-called dollars.
“From ‘Wildman’ to ‘True Native American’: Images of American Indians on Paper Money,” by University of Klagenfurt (Austria) Professor Heinz Tschachler, headlines the Spring 2007 issue of ANA Journal: Advanced Studies in Numismatics.
Tschachler’s paper focuses on the many different depictions of American Indians on U.S. currency. Through many examples, he traces the artistic progression of this imagery from its European roots to its unique world view. These distinctly American engravings, Tschachler argues, were affected by factors such as westward expansion, forgeries and the broader development of the nation. (The author will present this paper Aug. 9, as part of the Maynard Sundman/Littleton Coin Company Lecture Series held during the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money® in Milwaukee.)
“The inspiration for writing this article stems from a university course I taught in 2006,” Tschachler said. “Perhaps the biggest surprise was to find out that an image customarily said to represent a Native American is actually based on the ‘Wildman’ figure of medieval Europe.”
Also featured are internationally known numismatist and former ANA President Kenneth Bressett, who discusses “The Nature & Use of Electrotype Reproductions”; and Heath Literary Award recipient William Hyder, who examines medals celebrating the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition in “Midwinter Bird’s-Eye View.”
“When I discovered the Midwinter Fair had its roots in the (Chicago) Columbian Exposition, I wanted to know more,” Hyder said. “I was surprised to learn that bird’s-eye view maps were a distinctive post-Civil War American art form and that encouraged me to learn more about how the medals fit into this unique expression of American culture.”
Now in its second year, ANA Journal is a quarterly publication featuring original numismatic research. To subscribe, call 800-514-2646 or e-mail membership@money.org. For submission guidelines or for more information, e-mail anaj@money.org or visit www.money.org (select “ANA Journal” from the “Communications” dropdown menu).
Originally Release Date: June 19, 2007
ANA Contacts: Phone: 719-482-9814
Email: pr@money.org