presentation on Standing Liberty Quarters

I am starting a PowerPoint presentation on a Standing liberty quarters for an upcoming club meeting. I started collecting them in parallel with other stuff because it brought interest to my wife who loves the design. I have a book by Cline which has great information about Herman McNiel, the sculptor and designer, the politics to get these minted, and the concern to reduce exposure on Miss Liberty. I would also show samples.

Some stuff to include:

- the history and the transition from the conservative Barber coins
- looking for full headed Standing liberty quarters
- key dates like 16, 21, 27s, etc.

I was also wondering what is the best way to colllect these?

any thoughts?

 

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I’d include a couple of photographs of SLQs in various grades and I’d also talk about the different types T1, T2a and T2b. E.g. you could include reasons for the minor design changes (bare breast, issue with date) and also mention why the series was short lived, compared to the Washington quarter. And don’t forget to mention the 1918/7-S

 

Here is an image one of his store tokens

 

I thought the change to the Chain Mail was primarily due to our entry into WWI.

 

Thanks for your comments! I need to make sure I include the types.

Regarding the change, the Mercury Dime, Standing Liberty Quarter and Walking Liberty Half were all introduced in 1916.Part of this was intended not by World War 1, but as a result of President Theodore Roosevelt to add some artistic trait and beauty in US Coins which were lacking compared to those in Europe and South America. Also, look at the beautiful Gold coins that were designed before World War 1. The Barber coins had beauty in a different perspective, but are too similar and a more radical design to keep up with world was required.

 

@Dimedude2, I'm not sure if your last comment was responding to my post (#4) or not. If it was, I just wanted to clarify. I thought the misconception for the design change to the SLQ was that it was due to public outcry regarding the bare breast, while in fact it was primarily due to add "strength" to Ms. Liberty as we entered WWI.

I am aware of Teddy's letter and influence on our coinage design. I for one think we had some of the most beautiful designs during that time due to the changes. I am not a huge Barber fan, but agree that it has beauty in a different perspective. I think Ms. Liberty looks like a Roman Male.

 

Jpcienkus, we are in sync. the bare flesh will be discussed. Thanks for the clarification.

Btw, Chuck Barber exploited nepotism in a big way.

 

@Dimedude2 , I've heard that about Barber. I also love the fact they brought George Morgan over from the Royal Mint to design the Silver Dollar in 1878. (There's a little more to the story, but I tried to capture the situation in one sentence).

I know a lot of people diss the Morgan, but I for one love the coin. IMO, it's the first beautiful bust rendition of Ms. Liberty.

Anyway, thanks for the response. Can't wait to read your info on the SLQ bare flesh topic.

 

Thanks for feedback for this

 

Are you going to share the slides with us? I’d love to have a look at them, the SLQ is one of my favorite coins.

 

I can send it to you if that would be ok. I want to keep my alias,

 

Great, I’ll PM you

 

@Dimedude2 , I'd be interested in this as well.

 

I am under the gun to provide a good presentation. I like the pressure.

 

The thought that the addition of the chain mail was in result of the approaching first world war is supposition, but probably good supposition. Unfortunately there are no records on the subject because the decision to add the chain mail was made by McNeil alone, the mint never requested that change. In fact they specifically made a list of changes to make and instructed McNeil that no other changes were to be made. The addition of the chain mail was not on that list.

 

I would point out the differences between the 1916 (pattern) and the 1917 type I coin. Many people are unaware of the subtle differences or don't appreciate them.

 

I understand your comments. So do you think the other common line of thought, changed due to "morality" (used that word trying to be concise), is also supposition? What do you think the most likely reason was for the change?

 

I think the morality idea is nonsense. The 1916's didn't come out until late December and by January they were already working on the redesign for the obverse. There really wasn't any time for any great to public outcry to have developed, especially for a coin that pretty much nobody had seen yet. There is also no documentary evidence of complaints about the bare breast. No telegrams or letters from the public or between mint officials in the archives, no mention in congressional register, it just didn't happen.

Much of the symbolism on the obverse of the quarter relates to the potential involvement in the war in Europe (guarding the gateway, facing the east towards Europe, and draping your shield), and I think McNeil simply realized that the idea of going into war unclothed did not make sense, so he put chain mail armor on Liberty. If you're going to war, you dress for it.

 

@Conder101, your explanation is much appreciated. I remember when Roger B. explained this same opinion over on the NGC Boards a couple years ago. It made the most sense to me. With your Numismatic knowledge, I also wanted to get your opinion. Thank you.

 

Wow, there is a lot of directions I can go in this presentation? I want to discuss the difference in designs and why. Also, the need for a new quarter design. Note this presentation is for a audience from 8 to 90 years. Thanks very much for the feedback.