A Nation of Outcasts Geocoin - The First Sunset LE 100

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Tracking Number: GV4D16

Teil der Coinsammlung der Kanustation Mirow / poseptun

This edition of “A Nation of Outcasts” is called “The First Sunset”. It features real glass fused onto solid copper. These coins were sold at the 2011 Geocoinfest in South Carolina and three different editions were minted. Each edition was limited to 100 coins.

The antique copper edition will be extra special in that it will be solid copper so that the copper color will last the age of the coin. The color will be fused glass, which can also be expected to last vastly longer than epoxy colors used in other coins. The ocean on this coin will be transparent blue glass over a gritty texture, which I hope will make the ocean appear to sparkle.

The coins include two symbols from the South Carolina flag: the palmetto tree and the crescent. The palmetto tree is thought to be from the palmettos used to construct the fort on Sullivan’s Island. The logs are soft and thus better able to resist canon fire than other types of wood. The fort was key in defending Charleston from the British in 1776. The origin of the crescent is more mysterious. Some say that it is a piece of armor for the neck called a gorget; others say that it is a heraldry symbol known as a cadence, which tells birth order and the crescent represents the second son. Many people who came to America were second, third, fourth, or later sons, who had no inheritance and thus no ties to the old world. Their fortune could best be found in a new land where they could flourish. The symbols around the ship are the cadences representing the first through ninth son.

The text on each side of the coin is strongly inspired by Psalm 92 and Psalm 118 in the bible:

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree”

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes”

The three editions are:

“A New Day” – epoxy enamel on antique nickel
“The First Sunset” – cloisonne (colored glass) on solid antique copper
“All Through The Night” – epoxy enamel on 18 karat gold and black nickel

While all three coins are limited editions, The First Sunset is extra special because it is only the second geocoin ever minted to use fused borosilicate glass to provide color. This high quality glass is best known for use in laboratory glassware. The cloisonne process is treasured in the art community for its ability to produce high quality artifacts that can last for hundreds or thousands of years. The coin is also made of solid copper to ensure that its copper color will endure for generations.