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The reverse of this Astronomy coin depicts a deep space probe in the model of Pioneer, Voyager or Cassini. Such probes use a Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) which uses the decay heat from a pellet of glowing Plutonium.
Belgium’s Atomium, built for the Brussels World’s Fair is a monument to the optimism of the dawning Atomic Age in 1958.
Neils Bohr took things further in understanding the physical and quantum structure of the atom itself. The atom model we all recognize today comes from his breakthrough work.
A coin commemorating plans for nuclear power in Egypt. Such optimistic displays on coins end abruptly in 1986.
“No oil, no gas, no coal, no choice.” During the energy crisis of the 1970s France found itself in a terrible bind: Its hydro capabilities were tapped, it had no coal or natural gas resources, and it was mercilessly dependent on oil imports for most of its power. The solution to this problem became known as the Messmer Plan, named after the French Prime Minister of the time. It was a massive buildup of nuclear power to make the nation more energy independent. It worked. France now enjoys some of the lowest electricity costs in Europe, has reliable power, and has a grid that has been almost completely decarbonized (without it even being the goal). This ought to be a climate strategy for nations to provide growth and prosperity for populations, but it is not viewed as such in the West. Ignorance, bad press, and outdated utility models are putting US nuclear plants, which produce 60% of our CO2 free electricity, at risk. They have, and will continue to be replaced with cheaper natural gas. I dont know the way forward, but I do know that this technology remains vital for our future. If you want to learn more watch “Pandora’s Promise” on Amazon Prime Video.
Renowned chemist Marie Skłodowska Curie, who recognized the concept of radioactivity, creating a new field in science.
Diagram of Röntgen’s X-ray vacuum tube. Röntgen became the first winner of the Nobel Prize for physics.
I hazard to include Max Planck, however his work in expanding Atomic Theory and Quantum Theory was instrumental in the discoveries to come.
Relativity. E=mc2. Einstein’s discoveries into the nature of matter and energy ushered in a new era of understanding and possibility.
Wilhelm Röntgen’s discovery of the X-ray, named such as the nature of the rays were unknown at the time of the discovery.
Fission. The nuclear chain-reaction. Although this discovery is credited to Otto Hahn, who ultimately won the Nobel, Lise Meitner (who had to flee Nazi Germany with the help of Neils Bohr) also deserves an enormous amount of the credit.
The birth of a primitive concept of Atomic Theory from Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher.
Intelligent. Charismatic. Controversial. Edward Teller, Father of the H-Bomb. Rumored to be an inspiration for Dr.Strangelove, his zealous enthusiasm for nuclear technology troubled many.
Homi Bhabha, father of India’s nuclear power program. As India grows, so does its need for electricity. 4 plants are under construction, 11 more are planned.
Ernest Walton became the first person to artificially split the atom (specifically that of the Lithium atom).
A ridiculous coin that reduces the gravity of what the Enola Gay participated in into that of a mere trinket. Recommended reading: “The Making of the Atomic Bomb.” by Richard Rhodes.
This stylized reactor and atom model also shows the optimism governments had for nuclear power. But despite Israel’s early intentions, no plants have been built (although they have research reactors).
The most Christian City in all of Japan was and is Nagasaki. Shown on this coin is the Oura church, the oldest in Japan. Urakami cathedral was obliterated August 9, 1945. Oura survived, but its stained glass windows were destroyed.
On 11 March 2011 Onagawa Nuclear Plant was struck by the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The reactors shut down, and cooled, and the facility’s gymnasium protected locals in the chaos. Further from the epicenter to the south is Fukushima Diiachi, which fared poorly. Cleanup at Fukushima continues, towns are slowly being repopulated, food is being grown in the prefecture; but misinformation and hysteria about it still pervades online. The reality is that the health and environmental effects of the triple-meltdown has been minimal, and nothing compared to the damage, death and climate disruption from everyday burning of fossil fuels.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Please read John Hersey’s 1946 New Yorker piece “Hiroshima”.
A 2016 North Korean coin commemorating a Hwasong-10 medium range ballistic missile test. The threat from North Korea remains tense, and in flux. While the recent prospect of denuclearization is attractive, what parties conceive of in the meaning of denuclearization is at odds.
Marie and Pierre Curie, and a depiction of the discovery of Radium and Polonium. Radium was soon used as an early form of radiation therapy along with X-ray radiation.
This Curie coin displays the concept of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
Winner of the Nobel Prize. Twice! Her daughter Irène was also a Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry.
Likewise the USSR also touted its atomic prowess on coins and medals, such as this Red revolution commemorative with a stylized Bohr model and accompanying rocket.
The Soviet nuclear icebreaker Arktika is a legendary ship. It was the first surface ship to reach the North Pole in 1977 (although the American nuclear sub Nautilus had gone there beneath the ice years before). How much fuel did this ship need for a day of icebreaking? Just 200 grams.
“Keep your wits about you! Be a human being, for evil is impending“ says this Russian/Ukranian medal remembering the tragedy.
“The Monster of War again, repeating his threat; not to Man this time, but to Woman. She, too, in her innocence, yields to the destiny of Death.”
“The quest for freedom is expressed with infinite pain. Man longs to escape his condition of slavery, which he has brought on himself.”
“All mankind, with both sexes, and the horrific suffering which both prepare themselves, submits to the common destiny which engulfs them all.”
“Man fights against man. This is the age-old conflict which sets men against each other in the perpetual struggle for supremacy.”
The brilliant Enrico Fermi, who built and tested the first reactor, Chicago Pile 1, or CP1 in 1942. It was the first self-sustaining nuclear reaction, and was a proof of concept that set The Manhattan Project into full swing.
“Depicts the Apocalypse, and the strengthened concept of the tragic destiny which engulfs all humanity, with no way to escape.”
Einstein was a pacifist, but his letter penned with Leo Szilard to FDR on the possibility of a German bomb prompted the creation of the Manhattan Project. Both physicists ultimately regretted having sent the letter.
“A painful image of something falling from the heavens: not the manna promised from the Scriptures, but Death, with weapons which Man has devised.”
“Man’s condition of non-communication has been caused by the artificial divisions of today’s society. The two hands are trying desperately to reach across the division and touch one another.”
“The human condition. The yearning of the return to Life, and the restoration of Truth. And what do the two arms represent? One is the child’s and the other the adult’s, both reaching out in supplication.”
A tableau of coins designed by sculptor Agenore Fabbri on the threat of nuclear war. Descriptions from the original mint set. “Depicts the monster of War, which looms and stands out on this small coin like the nightmare disturbing the dreams of all mankind”
Modern nuclear politics at play. This summit dealt with the threat of nuclear terrorism, trafficking of materials, and securing facilities. EMPs were apparently not discussed, presumably because most what you’ve heard about the phenomenon is utter nonsense.
Admiral Rickover spearheaded nuclear propulsion in the US Navy, stressing excellence and an ongoing record for safety. He also oversaw the first commercial nuclear powerstation in the US with the pressurized water reactor.
Rickover’s Navy, and a vignette of the Cold War.
Despite Chernobyl, the nuclear power program in Ukraine remains to this day. This coin commemorates what appears to be a more recent Russian-designed VVER reactor. Russia is actively selling its reactor technology around the world.
On April 26 1986 an inexperienced staff undertook an experiment at a Soviet RBMK reactor, a deeply flawed design. Soon the world would know the name Chernobyl. A tragedy, time capsule, a warning, a nature preserve, a tourist destination; there’s too much to write, analyze, and understand in this space.
A recent commemorative medal for the Liquidators, who decontaminated the area as well as possible. There were 31 direct deaths in the disasters, and 15 indirect deaths. See the WHO’s April 2011 Chernobyl 25th Anniversary FAQ for more information on heath impacts.