Man and beast (not horses)

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'Man and beast' - by man in this sense, I mean 'humankind', of course, so women and children are included in this topic too.

Most 'man and beast' designs by far show humans on horses. However, in this topic I would like to examine the non-horse designs, so please post any 'man and horse' coins here:

On Horseback or Chariot

Coins showing man and beast as heraldic supporters should be posted here:

Coats of arms with one animal supporter and one human supporter

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The Bible states that God gave Man dominion over the creatures of the Earth, and we humans have certainly come to regard ourselves as separate from animals, and even to an extent as having dominion over nature itself. We hunt and kill animals for food and for their fur and tusks, and we breed them and keep them on farms for their wool, their milk and their meat. Animals are still used as beasts of burden in many countries. We ride and race some for sport, while we keep others in cruel captivity in zoos, for our study and amusement.

Some animals are specifically domesticated and genetically engineered into pets, which we employ as fashion items or keep as companions. Some dogs work for a living, herding sheep, or as guide dogs for the blind. Often those that are pets are healthier, better fed and better treated than many humans in the world's poorest countries. But in sunless laboratories we perform gruesome experiments on all sorts of species, for the supposed advancement of science or in order to find cures for human diseases.

Though we have abolished slavery, animals are still treated as slaves and property around the world. They may be given board and lodgings, but how many animals are given statutory holidays and a comfortable retirement? More often they end up being slaughtered or made into glue or other products when they are no longer of use. Often we treat animals with horrendous cruelty, and some sadistic humans do this for pleasure only, and no other reason.

Animals can also be dangerous to humans. We think we are at the top of the food chain, but a hungry tiger may not agree. Swimmers and surfers are regularly killed by sharks, and in Indonesia humans have even been killed and eaten by Komodo dragons. As we humans occupy ever more land, we find wild beasts wandering into our town and cities: polar bears in Canada, wild boars in Germany. And these days, they are more likely to attack us. You may have seen Hitchcock's film 'The Birds'. Perhaps he foresaw the future. In recent months I have read of raccoon attacks in the USA, kangaroo attacks in Australia, a feral cat attack in Italy, and in England occasionally a fox has wandered into a house and attacked human babies.

So our relationship with the animal world is a complex one. Let's see how it has been portrayed on coins.

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UK, 2 pounds, 2009.  Charles Darwin and his Theory of Evolution. 

Victorians were shocked when Darwin proposed that humans and apes were descended from a common ancestor.

Many creationists, particularly in the USA, still refuse to believe this.

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Western Sahara, 5 pesetas.  Arab and camel.

This is a political issue and therefore a fantasy.

The territory is claimed and ruled by Morocco.

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Sudan, 1 millieme, 1956.  Camel as Arab transport.

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Albania, ½ lek, 1926.  Hercules wrestling the Nemean lion.

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Lebanon, 10 livres, 1981.  Man and oxen.

FAO-themed coins commonly feature man and beast in agricultural scenes.

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Cuba, 1 peso, 1995.  Man, with oxen pulling a plough.

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Thailand, 1 Baht, 1972.  FAO.

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Tunisia, 1 dinar, 1970.  FAO.

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Albania, 5 franga ari, 1926.  Peasant boy with oxen.

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Bahamas, 2 dollars, 1997.  Dolphin with boys. 

Our fellow mammals, dolphins are thought to be among Earth's most intelligent non-human animals.

Often playful with humans, they have sometimes rescued them from drowning, but on occasions they have been known to attack.

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Malta, 5 lira, 1997.  Boy and dog. 

Beware children and animals. Sometimes they will steal the show, but more often they are used cynically for sentimental purposes - and to boost sales! However, do not be deceived. Most dogs are more intelligent than they need to be, and they are experts at charming humans into giving them what they want - as I know from experience.

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Madagascar, 20 ariary, 1998.  UNICEF.  Boy with lemur.

 

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Ethiopia, 1 cent, 1977.