QOTW #4: Why do stars have six points, rather than five points on U.S. coins?

[James_OldeTowne]

While cataloging a few fractional gold coins, I noticed that some, such as BG-935, have five-pointed stars, in contrast to Federal issues which usually seem to have six-pointed stars. An outstanding exception to this is the Standing Liberty quarter, but the stars on that coin do not surround a dominating portrait.

 

Why six points and not five? or four? or seven??

[TomB]

Artistic license.

[WoodenJefferson]

As far as early flag stars of that era are concerned, six, seven, eight pointed stars were nearly as common as five pointed stars prior to the end of the 18th century. The number of points on the stars was never specified by Congress. It is safe to assume that the 5 pointed star came about in U.S. flag history as another way to separate the country from Europe with their more numerous pointed stars. I'm sure the same could be said about coins of that time period.

 

 

 

 

George Washington's HQ flag of blue had six pointed stars on it.

[RWB]

This won’t help much, but at least it’s an official document. With reference to the stars on the new quarter and half dollar for 1892:

 

…You ask in regard to the five and six pointed stars. In the seal of the U.S. the original design shows stars of but five points and in using this for the reverse Mr. Barber has followed the original. On the obverse it has been customary to put six pointed stars. It doesn’t seem to me to matter very much whether the stars have five or six points. The six pointed star is considered the proper one for representing the stars of the firmament.

 

[Letter from Superintendent Bosbyshell to Director Leech dated October 3, 1891 (referencing an internal letter by Barber).]

 

In a letter of October 8, 1891 Barber explains that heraldry indicates 6, 8 or more points for a star and that “mullets” of five points are “…stars when surrounded by celestial figures.” He also refers to use of both five and six pointed stars on the same medal by Saint-Gaudens, and “…[on a quarter] I think when you consider how small that would bring the stars, five points are more easily distinguished from a round dot and six, but as I remarked to you, I see no objections to using six if preferred – either number is equally correct.”

 

[physics-fan3.14]

Great info Roger. You are quite the encyclopedia of numismatic history and trivia.

[Conder101]

The Barber quarter and half are also the turning point in US coinage. Before those two coins all the stars on US coins were six pointed. After the Barbers were approved, with the exception of the Saint-Gaudens double eagle, all the stars on US coins are five pointed.

[DWLange]

I wrote a column on this subject for The Numismatist which was later reprinted in the NGC online newsletter. The name of the column was "Seeing Stars," and here's a link to Part One:

http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?NewsletterNewsArticleID=187

 

Part Two:

http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?NewsletterNewsArticleID=176

[RWB]

David Lange's Numismatist columns present additional interesting information on the question of stars. (Plus, they’re a good read by themselves!)

[DWLange]

Thanks, Roger. I believe readers missed this, so I'll post the links again:

 

Part One:

http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?NewsletterNewsArticleID=187

 

Part Two:

http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?NewsletterNewsArticleID=176