Gender of Barber type coins

You know, I've always been confused about whether the obverse Liberty figure in the Barber series is female or male.

Any thoughts?

 

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I hope it's a man :bigeyes:.

 

I always assumed it was a depiction of Liberty and therefore female.

 

It is supposed to be Liberty - a female. But she sure looks masculine. Not exactly Barber's finest work (but certainly his most well-known).

 

Maybe it wasn't Barber's fault...maybe he just had a rather manish model.

 

Wow thanks again forthe info Hobo, I have a few barbers but I dont really collect them, lol I always just assumed it was a man.

 

I've always thought the same thing about the Matron Head large cents particularly the dates 1816-1835. Starting with Head of 1836, they started looking more feminine.

 

I feel the same way about certain avatars, notably Hobo's... and mine !

 

HEY!!!! I resemble that remark!! :hammer:

 

Yeah, and liberty on the mercury dime looks masculine as well.

 

Maybe she will enter Snaz's Beard contest.

 

In most books the Barber Head is usually noted as either a Barber or Liberty Head coin. For sure this would indicate a female image. The sharp features on these and also if you look at the bust type coins is probably based on the Ancient Romans or Greeks. Many of the Large Cents also have that sharp feature but in many instances of the Bust type or other coins the Female's long hair and/or dress atire makes it appear more femanine. I don't know if the original Barber images were based on those early stereo types of the ancient Romans or Greeks, but if you look at most statues from then, they too have those sharp features. Many people say the same thing about the statue of Venus.
It is also possible that due to women not being considered important back in those old times that a man's image was used but the intent was female. Might sound confusing but remember even in the days of Shakespeare, all female parts in his plays had to be done by men. Women were not allowed to even play female parts in plays so even in our early past, possibly a male's image was the preferred for a coin.

 

Thats why I've never been a fan of that series.

 

Yeah, I only collect coins with hot girls on them.

 

look the books will tell u its ms liberty but trust your eyes its a man the books also tell u that 1913 liberty nickels 1933 double eagles and 1964 peace dont exisit but they do so just trust me on that

 

must be the reason the collection hasnt taken off then i suggest posters will be a better source

 

Figure is female.

 

Yep, it's an "acquired taste".

For me, the problem isn't the gyn-android Liberty; it's the wierdo eagle on the back that disturbs me. Looks like a run-over chicken roadkill sandwich. Ugh.

 

I had never really thought of it before, but after taking a *good* look at my Barber coins, it certainly appears that Liberty is a young man, and not a lady.

I will never look at Barbers in the same light again

 

I know it's supposed Lady Liberty....but it has that classic Roman dude look to it