Charles Barber was a Couch Potato in Engraving
| A.J.
Charles Barber was an engraver at the US Mint. he made the barber dime, quarter, and half dollar. and as you (Probably) know, he made them with the EXACT. SAME. DESIGN. it was a lazy design, and was ignored by a lot of numismatists living at the time. that's why you never find them in good condition. they never lasted long, science the walking liberty, the standing quarter, and the buffalo nickel came quickly. in conclusion, barber just was a couch potato. (This is just an OPINION. DO NOT criticize me because i don't like the barber series.)
Comments
Mike
Level 7
I'm sorry but I didn't like what he did. He tried to stop a great engraver from coming to the U.S. Mint . Mr. Morgan. He was afraid he would lose his job as chief engraver to him and his son did everything go the point were Mr. Morgan. Worked out of his apartment. Now that being said weather you liked his work or not to call him a couch potato is wrong. Just say you didn't like him. He did make some wonderful coins and patterns. As I said buy a book. Get the whole.story. You might learn something different. That's why we use them. Pat.
Big Nub Numismatics
Level 5
I like the design, but Liberty looks like a man. His designs were quite bland
A.J.
Level 4
what i meant by "they never lasted long" was the coins had been replaced quickly. also, i know he made medals and other stuff, but he took the majority of denominations and turned them into garbage.
LNCS
Level 5
Barber made coins to use in commerce and they did a fantastic job. Much better than the replacements.
It's Mokie
Level 6
Mr. Barber understood the difference between making a beautiful medal, like Weinman would do, and making a coin to circulate in pockets and tills for years. That is why his Barber series of coins still show their dates when Buffalo Nickels and Standing Liberty Quarters quickly lost theirs. Having said all that, I find the Barber series of coins artistically very uninteresting.
Kepi
Level 6
No criticizing from me... I think Barbers Liberty likes like a man...
Longstrider
Level 6
I'n also not a big fan of his circulating coinage. I always felt his Liberty looked more like a Caesar to me. My opinion.
PastorK7354
Level 4
We allrighty then. ... I am sure you and others feel that way. And that's your right to do. .I, personally find something just a little captivating about the Barber coins, and that gives me some initiative to add these coins in the best grade I can find and afford to my collection at some point. Not as any kind money maker. That is not my prime intent in this hobby, but to learn from it,. teach and share with my children , family, and extended family about this, and enjoy. But that's just my opinion...... Blessings! Pastor Greg
RPSeitz
Level 4
You bring up an interesting observation, but there is something captivating about the Barber Dime that I personally like, but it certainly pales in comparison to the Mercury Dime, so you may be on to something.
Well worn Copper
Level 5
Its safe to say Barber's work was pedestrian at best. When you look at St. Gauden's work its hard to believe they both breathed the same air. One of the best things worth repeating about the Barber series was how nice they wear, and that isn't much to say. I think that by inheriting the position of chief engraver from his father, Charles never really felt the need to over-exert himself, and that is what is reflected in his coinage.
It's Mokie
Level 6
LOL AJ, irrespective of the accuracy of your thoughts, you have written the best subject line in the history of numismatic blogdom.
A.J.
Level 4
i got this from almost ENTIRELY coin collecting sites, and only a little from places like Wikipedia.
"SUN"
Level 6
In those days, coins were used more in every transactions than today coins. There is more to Barber like Pat mentioned.
coinsbygary
Level 5
Actually, Barbers designs wore well in circulation. The date often wore off on the Buffalo Nickel and the Standing Liberty Quarter. This was later fixed on the Standing Liberty Quarter. Curiously, this was never fixed on the Buffalo Nickel except for the denomination of the coin on the reverse.
thisistheshow
Level 4
He designed other coins and commems as well, like Pat said. I am not a fan of mint state Barber coinage, but love it between a 15 and 25 with a nice circulation cameo.
Mike
Level 7
He made more that that. You should look at all his designs. He was also. Chief Engraver. They sit just hand that to you. You see his son worked there also. Did I like him I didn't know him. . I would get a book on him and read it. Thanks keep up the good work. Pat.
A.J.
Level 4
i only said the quarter, dime, and half dollar.