Inspirational Ladies
Lady Liberty

Owner Comments:

The design of the 1996 Commemorative Community Service Dollar is based upon a 1905-06 presentation medal designed by Augustus Saint Gaudens. Saint-Gaudens’ niece, Marion Clark Nichols, an officer of the Women’s auxiliary of the Massachusetts Civil Service Reform Association, commissioned the medal for the association. The obverse of the medal portrays an illustration of Justice as a standing female figure holding the standard and a scale in her right hand and the shield of the state in the other. Additionally, on the obverse is the caption, “The Best Shall Serve the State”. The reverse of the medal depicts a laurel wreath with the inscription, “The Women’s Auxiliary of the Massachusetts Civil Service Reform Association” in its center. The scale on the obverse of the medal represents justice, whiles the shield represents the state. The laurel wreath, dating back to ancient Greece, signifies victory and when used today, can denote eternity. The 1996 Commemorative Community Service Dollar illustrates Lady Liberty holding a book and lantern in her right hand rather than a scale. The reverse with the caption, “Service for America” is in the center of a laurel wreath on the dollar. Whereas, as in the year 1906 Justice was the aim of Community Service, the year 1996 includes the light of education. The photos here are side-by-side collages of the obverse and reverse of the coin and the medal. Note the similarities therein.