The Reason and Intuition Penny

There are many ways of knowing. This penny speaks to both reason and intuition. The heads side depicts a figure riding an elephant beneath the inscription La Raison Ma Fait Ma Force, “Reason Gives Me Strength.” The elephant, an ancient symbol of wisdom, memory, strength, and discernment, represents the power of the rational mind. Guided by its rider, it reminds us that strength becomes more powerful when directed by reason. The tails side depicts a blindfolded woman, which Kathryn modeled after her own visage, representing another kind of sight: intuition. With her physical vision obscured, she is able to see beyond what is immediately visible, trusting instinct, faith, and the knowledge that sometimes arrives before explanation. Together, the two sides form a talisman for balance. Reason helps us understand the world as it is. Intuition asks us to trust what we sense beyond it. For the moments when you have gathered the facts, considered every possibility, and must finally ask yourself: What do I truly know?