The Story Behind the Amerukhan Basics Commemorative Coin:
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Honoring Truth, Heritage, and Identity
At Amerukhan Basics Clothing, every creation is a deliberate act of storytelling—crafted to challenge perceptions, honor history, and reclaim identity. This commemorative coin, inspired by the American penny, is more than a design; it’s a profound homage to heritage, truth, resilience, and the economic struggles that shaped America.
A Symbolic Reflection of the Penny
The American penny, cast in copper, holds a unique place in history. It’s the only coin featuring a president facing gauche and not in silver—Abraham Lincoln—who significantly disrupted the status quo of his time. His actions, particularly around the emancipation of the enslaved, redefined the nation’s business practices. However, his policies were not without complexity, as they shifted the system of chattel slavery into one of lifelong indebtedness, obscuring the true identities of Indigenous and enslaved peoples.
Equally significant during Lincoln's presidency was the introduction of greenbacks, a fiat currency created to finance the Civil War. These paper notes not only helped pay for the war but also eliminated the nation’s debt, fundamentally altering America’s economic landscape. The move to issue greenbacks represented a break from traditional financial systems dominated by Confederate dollar, disrupting the economic hierarchy and laying the groundwork for a new financial era.
This commemorative coin reimagines these historical narratives, giving voice to the untold stories of the Moorish Indigenous Amerukhans while reflecting on the broader economic shifts of Lincoln’s time. Its copper tone mirrors both the penny and the descriptions of the Indigenous peoples of the region by writers like William Penn in the 1600s. Additionally, it nods to theories from historians like J.A. Rogers, who argued in The Five Negro Presidents that Lincoln himself may have been of Indigenous and so-called African heritage.
The Front: A Moorish Indigenous Amerukhan
On the front of the coin, a Moorish Indigenous Amerukhan is depicted wearing a tribal clan headdress. Unlike the traditional penny, this figure faces opposite (droit) to Lincoln, symbolizing the pursuit of justice, truth, and righteousness. This reversal challenges historical narratives, asserting that the people represented on this coin embody the strength, honor, and cultural significance often erased in mainstream history.
The choice of copper material was deliberate, reflecting the connection between Indigenous peoples and the land they have long called home. Copper also symbolizes resilience and is a nod to Lincoln being the only president cast in this material, perhaps due to his disruptive policies that challenged the nation’s economic and social order.
The Back: Symbols of Resilience and Connection
The back of the coin features two powerful icons: the Pachyderm and the Ankhor. Together, these symbols encapsulate the essence of the Moorish Indigenous Amerukhan clans and their enduring legacy.
The Pachyderm (Elephant or Mammoth)
The pachyderm, native to the continent of Amerukhan, is a symbol of resilience, memory, and strength. Its “thick skin” represents the ability to withstand hardship and challenges, while its “inability to forget” signifies the deep historical memory carried by the Indigenous peoples. The pachyderm serves as a reminder of both the strength required to endure and the responsibility to remember and honor the past.
The Ankhor (Anchor)
The Ankhor is a layered symbol with two parts:
- The Top: Resembling an Egyptian Ankh, it represents life, continuity, and the enduring spirit of the people.
- The Hooks: These signify the deep connection of the Moorish Indigenous Amerukhans to the land, emphasizing their roots and permanence as aboriginal peoples.
These two symbols together reflect the unbreakable bond between the people, their history, and their land.
The Role of Greenbacks and Economic Justice
The coin also pays homage to a pivotal economic decision during Lincoln's presidency—the introduction of greenbacks. These paper notes, issued to fund the Civil War, disrupted the dominance of Confederate dollar in America’s financial system. Greenbacks not only financed the war but also eliminated the nation’s debt, changing the trajectory of the country’s economy.
However, this economic shift also came with its consequences. The new system of greenbacks created an opportunity for wealth to shift hands, while enslaved individuals, now "freed," were often trapped in systems of lifelong indebtedness through sharecropping and other exploitative practices. This highlights the duality of Lincoln’s legacy—progressive in some ways, but also complicit in perpetuating systemic inequalities.
By including this economic narrative in the commemorative coin’s story, we acknowledge that the financial policies of that time were just as impactful as the social changes, shaping the lives of Indigenous and African-descended peoples for generations to come.
A Purposeful Reimagining
This commemorative coin is a bold and thoughtful reimagining of the American penny. It challenges the narrative of Lincoln as the sole emancipator by highlighting the nuanced truths about his actions, policies, and potential identity. It shifts the focus to those whose stories have been marginalized—celebrating their resilience, culture, and contributions to the land that is rightfully theirs.
The coin’s imagery—both on the front and back—creates a powerful visual statement, reclaiming the narrative of the Moorish Indigenous Amerukhans and honoring their legacy. It also reflects on the broader historical context, including the introduction of greenbacks, to highlight how economic shifts and policies have shaped the story of America’s peoples.
Conclusion: Reclaiming History, One Symbol at a Time
This coin is more than a design—it’s a statement. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of the Moorish Indigenous Amerukhans and a reminder to never forget the truths that history often obscures. By bringing together symbols of life, resilience, and connection, this coin encapsulates the essence of a people whose identity and strength continue to shape the future.
Explore more stories and designs that honor cultural heritage at Amerukhan Basics Clothing.
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