Commems Collection Classic: 1934 Maryland Tercentenary - A Change Of Mottoes

State Seals, Mottoes and other symbols can change over time due to changes in prevailing beliefs, public sentiment, civil authorities, etc. One such change is found with the Maryland Coat-of-Arms.

During Maryland's colonial era, the Province issued paper money in a range of dollar denominations that were payable in Pound and Shillings; shown here is the front of a $4 note. On the front of these notes is seen the Maryland Seal / Coat-of-Arms (as is also seen on the 1934 Province of Maryland Tercentenary Half Dollar). The Maryland Seal / Coat of Arms traces its roots to the family crest created by Sir George Calvert, First Lord Baltimore, early in the 17th century.

Maryland Colonial $4 Note - Front


(Image Credits: Public Domain.)

Though the Seal is still used by Maryland today, it has gone through multiple refinements that included a motto change. This has created a noticeable difference between the presentation of the Seal on Maryland's Colonial Currency and its 1934 commemorative half dollar.

Other than the obvious artistic refinements, the two depictions differ in the mottoes each includes. At the bottom of the Seal on the notes is seen "Crescite et Multiplicamini" which, in English, translates to "Grow and Multiply". On the coin is seen the motto "Fatti Maschi, Parole Femine" which, in the past, was loosely translated as "Manly deeds, Womanly words" but is today officially translated (by the Maryland Assembly) as "Strong Deeds, Gentle Words."

1934 Maryland Tercentenary Half Dollar



It's always good to look closely at the details!


(For more on the Maryland Coar-of-Arms, see:Official Seals On Classic US Commemoratives - Part III

For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including other Maryland half dollar stories, see: Commems Collection.