In 1998, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Oklahoma Centennial Act. This Act created the Oklahoma Capitol Complex and the Centennial Commemoration Commission. Among the initial efforts of the Commission was the raising of funds to support the construction of a dome atop the State capitol. A dome was part of an early plan for the capitol, but was dropped from the executed plan due to its significant added cost. The building, completed in 1917, was designed to physically support a dome above its central rotunda, however, should adding a dome ever become feasible.
Construction of the dome began in 2001 and was completed in 2002. The dome was was formally dedicated on November 16, 2002 - this post is being made on the 20th anniversary of that day. The dome is 157 feet tall and 80 feet in diameter.
Placed on top of the dome is a 17-foot tall bronze statue (22 feet if measured to the tip of the spear) named - "The Guardian." The figure is that of a standing Native American, holding a spear in his right hand as he looks off into the distance. "The Guardian" was lifted to the top of the capitol on June 7, 2002; on that day it became the first Native American figure to top a state capitol building.
The Guardian Statue Atop the Oklahoma Capitol
(Image Credit: raveller via Creative Commons license.)Here's a description of the statue from
The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture of the Oklahoma Historical Society (www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=GU008:
"The image is a composite of material and spiritual cultural characteristics of Oklahoma's thirty-nine tribes. Rife with Native symbolism, the dignified, muscular figure carries a spear, attached to his waist by a strap and staked in the earth, to symbolize his commitment to stand his ground in a fight. He carries a circular shield, representing the circle of life; inside the circle is a cross, which, along with four feathers that dangle from the shield, represent the four seasons and directions. The figure wears an undecorated, generic breechcloth, leggings, and moccasins. Around his neck are a beaded choker and two strings of beads. His body is turned to the east, toward the rising sun, but his head is turned to the south."The statue was designed/sculpted by Enoch Kelley Haney, a Native American / Seminole artist who was an Oklahoma resident and elected legislator (Haney was a State Senator at the time). Of his creation, Haney stated that it represents "the valor of Oklahomans and their ability to overcome the most horrific catastrophes such as the bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City." Haney died in April of 2022, at the age of 81.
To commemorate the completion and dedication of the dome, the Commission sponsored an
Oklahoma Centennial 1907-2007 commemorative "coin" (i.e., medal). The commemorative medal presents the capitol dome on its obverse and a close-up profile of the Native American portrayed in the statue. (The leaflet below provides additional details on the designs.)
Multiple versions of the medal were produced, though each is pewter at its core. Multiple "Collector" versions of the medal (in limited numbers) were produced, each had added color to the band near the border on each side - it framed the border inscriptions. (See back panel of leaflet below for version details.) Presented here is my unadorned "Gold Finish" version:
Oklahoma Centennial 1907-2007 Commemorative "Coin" - Obverse
Oklahoma Centennial 1907-2007 Commemorative "Coin" - Reverse
Oklahoma Centennial 1907-2007 Commemorative "Coin" - Leaflet, Front Panel
Oklahoma Centennial 1907-2007 Commemorative "Coin" - Leaflet, Interior Left Panel
Oklahoma Centennial 1907-2007 Commemorative "Coin" - Leaflet, Interior Right Panel
Oklahoma Centennial 1907-2007 Commemorative "Coin" - Leaflet, Back Panel
For a What If? post about a proposed 1957 Oklahoma commemorative half dollar, see:
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What If? 1957 Oklahoma Statehood AnniversaryFor more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 11/16/2022 11:25 am
