Coins featuring animals are a popular choice for collectors and numismatists. The United States Mint has produced many coins featuring a wide variety of animals, including birds, mammals, and fish. Here are some examples of furry and feathered friends that have appeared on US minted coins:
Eagles: Eagles have been prominently featured on many US coins, including the Double Eagle, Eagle, Half Eagle, and Quarter Eagle gold coins. These coins depict the majestic American Bald Eagle, the national symbol of the United States.
Bison: The Buffalo Nickel, minted from 1913 to 1938, featured a design by James Earle Fraser with a bison on one side, named Black Diamond, and a Native American on the other. This coin is one of the most famous and popular coins minted by the US. The bison, also loosely known as the American Buffalo, is a symbol of the American West and is a popular subject for coins and other collectibles.
Horses: The Nevada, Delaware, and Wyoming state quarters all feature horses. Horses have long been a popular subject for coins, as they have played an important role in human history and are beloved by many people around the world.
Birds: Many state quarters feature birds, including the Louisiana Brown Pelican, the South Carolina Wren, the Arkansas Mallard Duck, the Oklahoma Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, the Minnesota Loon (bird, not politician), the South Dakota Ring-necked Pheasant, the Idaho Peregrine Falcon, and the California Condor. These coins showcase the diverse and abundant birdlife found in the United States.
Salmon: The Washington state quarter from 2007 features a beautiful salmon. Salmon are a keystone species in many ecosystems and are a popular subject for coins and other collectibles.
Grizzly Bear: The Alaska state quarter from 2008 features a grizzly bear with a salmon in its clutches. The grizzly bear is an iconic symbol of the American wilderness and is a popular subject for coins and other collectibles.
Dall Sheep: The reverse design of the 2012 Denali Alaska state quarter features a Dall sheep with Mt McKinley rising in the background. The Dall sheep, a species of wild sheep found in Alaska and northwest Canada, is known for its distinctive white coat and long, curved horns.
In addition to these animals, there are many other animals that have been featured on US commemorative coins. Some examples include the Wisconsin Centennial half dollar from 1936, which features a badger, the Vermont half dollar from 1927, which features a cougar (sometimes called a catamount), the Hudson half dollar from 1935, which features a whale, the Albany NY half dollar from 1936, which features a beaver, the New Rochelle commemorative half dollar from 1938, which features a fatted calf celebrating the French Huguenots, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition gold coins, which feature an owl, dolphins, and more.
Collecting coins featuring animals can be a rewarding and interesting hobby, allowing you to build your own virtual zoo with your coin collection. In addition to the many animals featured on US coins, there are also a wide variety of animals featured on coins from other countries, making it possible to collect coins featuring animals from all around the world. To learn more about this great hobby, read Quick Guide to Coin Collecting, 2nd Edition.
Start building your collection today and discover the exciting world of animal coins!
