Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Tala 1977, KM# 26, Samoa, Tanumafili II, 50th Anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's Transatlantic Flight
  • 1 Tala 1977, KM# 26, Samoa, Tanumafili II, 50th Anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's Transatlantic Flight
Description

On May 21, 1927, the aviator Charles A. Lindbergh landed his Spirit of St. Louis near Paris, completing the first solo airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Lindbergh was just 25 years old when he completed the trip.

The tālā is the currency of Samoa. It is divided into 100 sene. The terms tālā and sene are the equivalents or transliteration of the English words dollar and cent, in the Samoan language. The word 'tala' is also derived from the German word 'Thaler', and pronounced the same.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of Samoa, county name (Western Samoa) above, value below.

The coat of arms of Samoa depicts a silver shield with the lower two-thirds blue, having thereon 5 silver stars representing the constellation of the Southern Cross, of the same shape and the same relative sizes and dispositions among themselves as in the Flag of Samoa; one half of the upper third depicting a green sea with a green coconut palm issuing therefrom; the shield being surmounted by a gold cross, and superimposed on 2 concentric circles of the world and the olive leaves as in the United Nations Badge, and bearing the subscription of the motto "Faavae i Le Atua Samoa", meaning in the English language "God be the Foundation of Samoa".

SAMOA I SISIFO
FAAVAEILE ATUA SAMOA
$1

Reverse

Bust of Charles Lindbergh, with plane above, Statue of Liberty to the left and Eiffel Tower to the right.

Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902–1974) was an American aviator, military officer, author, inventor, explorer, environmental activist, and advocate against fighting Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany.

Lindbergh's flight was not the first non-stop transatlantic flight. Alcock and Brown achieved this in 1919. Lindbergh's flight was, however, the first solo, non-stop transatlantic flight, and one made between two major cities.

Engraver: George James Berry

Lindbergh Flight
1927
JB
1977

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 27.6 g
Diameter 38.8 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

Related coins

Aluminium Bronze, 9.5 g, ⌀ 30 mm