FREE: 1950 3¢ Statue of Freedom on Capitol Dome - US Scott # 989 MNH F/VF OG

The listing, 1950 3¢ Statue of Freedom on Capitol Dome - US Scott # 989 MNH F/VF OG has ended.

U.S. #989
1950 3¢ Statue of Freedom
National Capital Sesquicentennial Issue

Issue Date: April 20, 1950
City: Washington, D.C.
Quantity: 132,090,000
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforations: 10 ½ x 11
Color: Bright blue

The “Statue of Freedom,” pictured in U.S. #989, was designed by Thomas Crawford. It stands on top of the Capitol Dome in Washington, D.C. The statue was originally designed in 1855 as wearing a “Phrygian” cap – a historic symbol of freedom from slavery. But Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War and in charge of the construction of the statue, strongly objected. He felt the use of the cap was a commentary against the practice of slavery in the South.

Davis, who later became the President of the Confederacy during the Civil War, supported slavery. The Phrygian cap arose from the ancient Roman tradition of slaves who won their freedom being allowed to wear the cap. Davis did not want any symbol of slaves desiring freedom, and ordered the design changed. He refused to allow work to proceed until it was.

Montgomery Miegs, the supervising engineer of the project, told Crawford, “Mr. Davis says that he does not like the cap of Liberty introduced into the composition because American Liberty is original and not the liberty of the free slave.” Crawford changed the design to a Roman helmet with eagle feathers – which from a distance has often been confused with a Native American headdress.

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