The Answers To: More Trivia 1) What American coin was popularly known as the "Blowsy Barmaid"? 2) Who was the model for Hermon MacNeil's beatiful quarter? 3) What unusual and seldom noticed innovation did Barber introduce to the coinage of the United States with the appearance of his quarter and half dollar in 1892? First to answer all three correctly will receive one "attaboy" (or attagirl). And the answers are: 1) None of the Liberty Heads, utilized on the large copper cents, challenged existing standards of artistic excellence, and were known by such uncomplimentary names as "Silly Head" and "Booby Head". The public was particularly unappreciative of the 1808-1814 Classic Head type, which presented "a sleepy-looking Liberty, turbaned with a diaphanous nightcloth", and promptly dubbed her the "Blowsy Barmaid". 2) MacNeil acknowledged that his rendition of a standing, or striding, armed Liberty, was inspired by Roty's "Sowing Marianne" of the French silver coinage. The actual model was 22-year-old Miss Dora Doscher (later Mrs. H.W. Baum), who also posed for New York City's Pulitzer Memorial Fountain and the famous "Diana" that reposes in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, both figures by Karl Bitter. 3)The stars on the obverse of both coins are six-pointed, while those on the reverse are the first five-pointed stars to appear on United States coins.
According to my sources, some believe the model for Hermon MacNeil's quarter was Miss Dora Doscher, who later became Mrs. H. William Baum who is believed to have appeared in films under the name of Doris Doree. A Broadway actress by the name of Irene MacDowell is also believed by some to be the actual model for the Hermon MacNeil quarter. Still digging for information regarding the other two questions.
During my research, I managed to locate the following information that addresses question number 3...
You're doing great, GoldEagle. You're right on the money with #2. The answer to #3 has to do with the design of the coins themselves. The info you came up with is very interesting and educational, though. Keep trying, I will be out of town for a few days, if nobody gets the other two answered by the time I get back, I will post the answers.
GoldEagle, number three might be some of the words that are included on the coin. By coincidental research, I think this was the first time "In God We Trust" on our coinage, but I dunno for sure.
It also turns out that you learned something today. Hope we all can say that at the end of the day. Have a good one, my friend.
Meetings? Business? Sorry Cris, but you must have me confused with someone else. I work for a living. LOL BTW, I have posted the answers to the trivia in post #1.
