1916 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 2 / Views: 1,270
vanbroj Valued Member United States 450 Posts	Posted 10/16/2010 1:31 pm I have always read that the reason why they went to the type 2 design was the public uproar over the bare breast of Liberty. Everything I have read however has been conjecture. My question is this : Has anyone ever really reserched this ? I mean the coin was only introduced less than 100 years ago. Would there not be newspaper editorial comments, and mint records availble to investiagate ? I just find it odd that there was no official reason given by the mint ? Any insights ? I know there are some serious SLQ collectors on this forum ! Thanks, John Report this Post to the Staff

StJoeBlues Pillar of the Community United States 573 Posts	Posted 10/16/2010 2:48 pm I have a book "Selections from the Numismatist -- United States coins," copyright 1960. It includes an article from March 1946 titled "The Sesquicentennial of the Quarter Dollar" by Lillard R. Culver. Here's what he wrote about the SLQ design change: The Standing Liberty quarters issued from 1916 to 1930 are considered by many to be our most beautiful silver coins. The design was intended to express the awakening of the country to the need of preparedness. On the obverse of the first type, Liberty is shown front view, head turned to right, stepping through a gateway, on the walls of which are inscribed the motto, IN GOD WE TRUST. ... This design was unsatisfactory and the mint was forced to suspend coining quarter dollars early in 1917. The reason for this was never made public. The Secretary of the Treasury wrote Congress about the artistic merit of the eagle and then forwarded a bill to Congress about stacking qualities of the quarter dollar. The mint stated that dirt accumulated too easily in the old design. ... When the second type of this quarter dollar appeared in 1917 the most significant change was that Liberty was more fully clothed. Perhaps the fact that we were at war influenced the choice of clothing as the bust was covered with a coat of chain mail. On the reverse the eagle was raised and three stars were placed underneath, leaving five on each side. The only change after 1917 was made in 1925 when it was decided to lower the date to keep it from wearing off so rapidly. So according to The Numismatist, not much was made of the artistic nudity. In fact, two pages later in the book is an article about the woman who posed for the quarter, Miss Dora Doscher. That article, from 1917, makes no mention of any controversy, either. Report this Post to the Staff
vanbroj Valued Member United States 450 Posts	Posted 10/17/2010 3:02 pm Thanks Matt for sharing. Anyone have anything to add ? Report this Post to the Staff
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