Happy Birthday, Charles Barber
Like the story of so many Americans, Charles Barber’s is the tale of an immigrant who came to the United States and prospered greatly. Originally from London, Charles’s father, William Barber, moved his family to the United States for an opportunity to work for the United States Mint. In 1869, President Andrew Johnson named William the Chief Engraver of the Mint, and Charles was to serve as an assistant engraver.
As a child and young adult, Charles studied his father’s craft and devoted himself to being the finest engraver he could become, just as his father and grandfather had. In 1879, Charles reached the pinnacle position at the US Mint and succeeded his late father as the Mint’s 6th Chief Engraver.
Throughout his illustrious tenure as Chief Engraver, Charles Barber accomplished several feats and introduced some truly iconic designs. His most notable design appeared on the Liberty Head coin series, which ultimately became known as Barber Dimes, Quarters and Half Dollars. These coins truly reflected the meticulous care and craftsmanship that Barber applied to his work, as their intricacies allowed for them to remain in high quality through decades of wear and use. Their reputation as “workhorse coins” was well-earned, as they were prevalent in the US economy from their 1892 introduction well into the 1950s.
Though Barber’s work was acclaimed, it was also met with its share of criticism. Many of his critics found his designs to be unimaginative and had a distaste for the same design being depicted on his dime, quarter and half dollar. Barber also had design ideas rejected, such as a 1915 dime submission that was turned down in favor of Adolph Weinman’s famous Mercury Dime.
For many years, there were rumors of poor relations between Barber and President Theodore Roosevelt, as the President had openly criticized Barber’s coin designs. However, the notion that there was bad blood between the two gentlemen has been proven entirely false, and records indicate that they actually shared a warm and affectionate relationship.
While Barber’s Liberty Head coins may have lacked variety, his other designs certainly showcased his creativity and fine artistry. His most beautiful design resides on the obverse of the 1915 Panama Pacific Commemorative Half Dollar, which depicts the figure of Columbia scattering flowers handed to her by a cherub. The Gold $4 Stella also boasts Barber’s artistic capabilities, as it provides a fresh depiction of Lady Liberty on its obverse and an intricately detailed star on its reverse.
Barber’s work also spanned beyond the American shores, as he designed coinage for Cuba, the Szechuan province of China, and the Kingdom of Hawaii before its incorporation into the United States. Additionally, President Roosevelt sent Barber to Europe in 1905 to observe the practices of other mints and find ways to improve minting operations in the United States.
Charles Barber held his position as the Mint’s Chief Engraver until his death in 1917. The legacy he left behind has established him as one of the most monumental figures in US Mint history, and in 1989 an organization called “The Barber Coin Collectors Society” was founded to commemorate his life and countless accomplishments. So this week, for the 180th anniversary of his birth, join us as we celebrate a true American numismatic icon, Charles Barber.
