Model For Barber Design Coinage - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 2 / Views: 964
houston_guy462004 Valued Member United States 235 Posts	Posted 10/31/2007 2:34 pm I read that the mint director instructed Charles Barber, in 1891, to model the new design after French coins of the period. The closest French coin to Barber's liberty head is the gold 20-franc Gallic rooster, but that coin was minted from 1907-14, after the Barrber design of 1892. Does anyone know what specific French coin was used as the model? I have recently acquired an 1826 halfpenny with the re-styled Britannia which seemed to be the model for US Seated Liberty coins, and an 1806 halfpenny on which Britannia resembles the figure of liberty on US Trade dollars. Thank you. Report this Post to the Staff

Jaobler Pillar of the Community United States 6381 Posts	Posted 10/31/2007 3:38 pm Hi Houston, I thought I remembered hearing that Barber was looking to ancient coin designs as well for inspiration. The portrait of the Amazon Kyme on this Greek Tetradrachm from 140 BC bears at least a slight resemblance to the Barber design. Report this Post to the Staff
houston_guy462004 Valued Member United States 235 Posts	Posted 10/31/2007 4:25 pm Joabler- Thanks for the photo. I believe that the article in "coin histories" states that Barber used classical models (probably statues rather than coins) as well as the contemporary designs on French coins (apparently the head of Ceres on lower denomination snce 1871 -- the French Republic). Teddy Roosevelt suggested that US coins should be inspired by the ancient Greek coins. It appears that the head of Ceres facing left on the 5 and 10 centimes coppers coins, or 2-franc silver coin, was the inspiration for liberty head on Barber coinage. Report this Post to the Staff
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