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 Replies: 6 / Views: 1,329 |
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
Here is the contest question for Week no. 6. The contest will end on the 19th at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Please post your answers here in the thread. In the case of multiple correct answers, the members with the correct answers will be drawn at random. The prize is a small collection of Buffalo nickels dated 1935 P-D-S, 1936 P-D-S, and 1937. What made the year 1916 a "first" for United States coinage? And who were the models for the dime and quarter designs? Good luck!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Susanlynn9
What made the year 1916 a "first" for United States coinage? And who were the models for the dime and quarter designs?
Part 1) It must have been the fact that in 1916, the Barber dime, quarter and half-dollar all reached their quarter-century mark of existance and made it possible for the Mint to design the new coins in all three denominations. Part 2) Weinman used Elsie K. Stevens as his model for the Mercury dime while MacNeil used a likeness of liberty (better known as Susan) for his half-dollar. Or at least that is how I heard it! |
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
Okay, I know the prize isn't anything great, but I was hoping that there would be more responses by now. So, I'm going to sweeten the pot with a brand new 2005 Red Book in addition to the Buffs. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
Ok Susan, Sorry this one isn't immediately obvious. As Dan points out, it was the first time coins had been designed following the 1890 law mandating a minimum 25 year design run for coins. I'll guess a slightly different twist- first time an open design competition was held which resulted in coins which were actually minted. Here's a link: http://www.pcgs.com/articles/article1557.chtmlDan is correct re Eslie K Stevens for the dime, at least by my web perusal. For the quarter, I found a bit more confusion. Here's whatt someone posted at coincentric: There is much controversy regarding the model for MacNeil's design. Some believe that Miss Dora Doscher, who later became Mrs. H. William Baum, was the model. Miss Doscher is said to have appeared in films under the name of Doris Doree. Decades later, allegations were made that Irene MacDowell, a Broadway actress, was actually the one who posed as the model. Since MacNeil and Doscher were no longer living, and could neither verify nor deny Irene MacDowell's comments, it is unclear who the actual model was. Don |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
Hello contestants! I know this is a family forum but I must point out that 1916 introduced the first how shall I say "exposed" model on U.S. Coinage (the Bare Breast Variety of the Liberty Quarter). Although this design was accepted by the general public, followers of Anthony Comstock noted that the most detailed strikes were quite graphic and through the "Society for the Suppression of Vice” petitioned the Treasury to remove the coins from circulation. (they did not) Actually citing other reasons the Treasury relented and Lady Liberty had a nice Chain Mail Blouse on by Mid 1917 along with the other legislated changes. All of the 1916 dated coins were actually released on January 17th of 1917 along with the first batch of 1917's. Actresses and Models were not held in very high esteem in that era. Nobody was running forward to take credit for being the model hence the snafu as noted above. After all the dust settled it was Irene MacDowell(As noted above) the wife of one of Macneil's tennis partners who also happened to be a Broadway actress that was the main model for the coin. The change's made to cover up Miss Liberty were actually done illegally. The law passed in 1917 that specified the changes to be made on the coin did not include the chain mail. Nowhere was it mentioned in the legislation! Some very powerful lobbying was going on behind the scenes by the Comstock Crew! This is another example of why I find the history of coin minting so fascinating. Hey Morgan Fred, Did you know that George Morgan, Morgan dollar Main Designer was instrumental in getting this design off the ground?  Mercury Dime as above, Legislation of 1890 dead on!Thanks!Mike[:p] Edited by Mike
03/15/2005 05:11 am
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Forum Mom
United States
5877 Posts |
Congratulations, Don, you're the closest! The answer I was looking for was that 1916 marked the first year that identical designs weren't used for the dime, quarter, and half, although this was the result of having different designers. Elsie Stevens is correct as the model for the dime. The model for the quarter is believed to be either Dora Doscher or Irene MacDowell. I would have considered either one correct. I'll get your prize off to you on Monday! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
Thanks Susan!
These are fun. I'm especially excited because- I have no buffs. Incredible as it sounds, I've never owned a buff.
SFDukie's first contest coming up soon (can't do week 8- perhaps week 9?)
Don
Edited by SFDukie
03/21/2005 01:08 am
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Replies: 6 / Views: 1,329 |
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Posted 03/14/2005 7:21 pm
