Charles E. Barber

For other people named Charles Barber, see Charles Barber (disambiguation).
Charles E. Barber
Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint
In office
August 31, 1879 – February 18, 1917
President
Preceded by William Barber
Succeeded by George T. Morgan
Personal details
Born Charles Edward Barber
(1840-11-16)November 16, 1840[1]
London, England, United Kingdom
Died February 18, 1917(1917-02-18) (aged 76)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Occupation Engraver

Charles Edward Barber (November 16, 1840 – February 18, 1917) was the sixth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1879 until his death in 1917.

Although Barber's coins were met with mixed reviews, he had a long and fruitful career in coinage, designing most of the coins used at the mint during his time as Chief Engraver. Barber did full coin designs and also reverse designs.

History

Barber was born in London in 1840, the son of William Barber. In 1869, he was an assistant engraver at the United States Mint.[2] In 1879, he succeeded his father, in the position as chief engraver. Barber's best-known designs are the eponymous "Barber" Barber dime, Barber quarter, and Barber half dollar, as well as the so-called "V" Liberty Head nickel.

Some lesser known pattern coin designs by Barber include the trial copper-nickel cent, trial three-cent piece, and the $4 Stella "Flowing Hair" pieces. Citing the impracticality of the design, he was strongly critical of Augustus St. Gaudens' proposed high relief pattern for a new double eagle in 1908, and tried hard to stop them being produced.[3] Barber was succeeded as Chief Engraver by George T. Morgan.

Obverse of Barber's half dollar.

Coins Designed

Public Issues

Commemoratives

Pattern coins

References

  1. ↑ "Charles E. Barber". Nps.gov.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. "St. Gaudens $20 (1907-1933)". Numismatic Guaranty Corporation |. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
Government offices
Preceded by
William Barber		 Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint
1879–1917 		Succeeded by
George T. Morgan


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