Something to Ponder... In all probability you know that in 1893 the Board of Lady Managers of the world's Columbian Exposition petitioned for a souvenir Quarter-Dollar and was granted their request on March third. Only a few numismatic collectors and historians know that during 1893, for a period of 5 months (June through October) the U.S. Mint had no director. Edward O. Leech served as director from October 1889 through May 1893. Robert E. Preston became director in November 1893. Charles E. Barber served as Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1879 until 1917, so the tasks of designing the first (and only) Quarter-Dollar commemorative became his responsibility. Your recollections of Barber's numismatic accomplishments probably center on three coins (Coin Page photos): Barber Dime: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-7980.html Barber Quarter: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1858.html Barber Half Dollar http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-2355.html Some of you old timers know that Charles E. Barber designed the V Nickel (World Coin Gallery photo): http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/coine_us.php?image=img4/US-5c883&desc=U.S.A.FiveCentskm111(1883)LibertyHeadnocents&query=nickellibertyhead You numismatic scholars of United States coinage know Charles E. Barber designed the "Flowing Hair" $4 gold Stella (US Rare Coin Investments photo): http://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/coin_info/$4_stella/1879_flowing_hair.htm And what about that 1893 World's Columbian, Isabella Quarter? Coin Page photo: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1764.html Where do you think Chief Engraver Barber got his idea for making Queen Isabella of Spain the main feature on the obverse? Couild it have been this Spanish gold 2 Excellente which was struck at the Seville Mint during the dual reign of Ferdinand and Isabella (1474-1504)? Coin Archives photo: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=960678&AucID=710&Lot=10256&Val=7610d7f0f9ce278e0468d06adfa88215 Hope you enjoyed a few moments of pondering... Clinker
Yes, may very well be so. Here is another coin of the very same type. More details (and more expensive); you can see the details a little better: http://www.mcsearch.info/record.html?id=79767 Thanks for the interesting post, Clinker! Christian
