WILLIAM AND CHARLES BARBER EXHIBITS AT 2018 WFOM

The Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) and the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society (BCCS) will have a massive exhibition at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia. The groundbreaking 12-case exhibit is highlighted by newly-discovered historic artifacts on loan from the descendants of William and Charles Barber, the 5th and 6th Chief Engravers of the U.S. Mint. The exhibit will be in the Club Midway at booths #146 and #148, near the rear right corner of the bourse floor.

The theme of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club exhibit is “William Barber Revealed” which sheds new light on the work and talent of one of the least understood engravers in U.S. History. The designer of the Trade Dollar and the Double Dime (twenty-cent piece) is often underappreciated for his accomplishments and artistry.

The newly found artifacts show that William, despite some issues with former Mint Director H.R. Linderman, was actually very well-liked by his peers at the Philadelphia Mint, and much appreciated for both his coin design and medallic work. Items on display for the Liberty Seated Collectors Club include:

• Original (not a copy) Presidential proclamation naming William Barber Engraver of the U.S. Mint, signed by Pres. Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward • Paintings of William Barber and wife Anna Maria Barber • Medal of William Barber (by Charles E. Barber following William’s death in 1879), from the Charles E. Barber medal collection • 3 original pencil/pen coin design sketches by William Barber • William Barber medals: Centennial Medal, Grant 2nd Inaugural medal • Scan of letter written by William Barber about Carson City dies, June 1875 • Original memo by mint officials, Sept. 2, 1879, regarding the death of William Barber • Set of Trade Dollars • Set of Double Dimes, including one of William Barber’s patterns and 1875-S Branch Mint Proof • Medallic History of the United States of America – 1776-1876, 1st Edition, by J.F. Loubat, 1878, inscribed with compliments to William Barber by the author, April 1878 • A Visit to the Cabinet of the United States Mint at Philadelphia, by Elizabeth B. Johnston, 1876, inscribed to William Barber by the author • And more!

The theme of the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society exhibit is “The Charles Barber you didn’t know” featuring many new artifacts that put Charles Barber in a completely new light. Often presumed by many to (without any evidence) be a disagreeable and difficult person, new research demonstrates quite the opposite.

Charles Barber was first and foremost a family man, who was revered by his descendants. Despite professional rivalries, he worked collaboratively with many artists and engravers over his 48 years at the U.S. Mint, and contrary to popular (unfounded) belief, had a friendly relationship with George T. Morgan. Even a warm personal relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt is revealed, with the entrusting of a treasured personal heirloom to Charles Barber. Charles was most meticulous in ensuring the process of minting coins was efficient and produced a quality product. He was afforded the high honor of being the last U.S. Mint official to have the flags lowered to half-mast after his death in 1917.

Items on exhibit at the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society table include: • Painting of Charles E. Barber • Six new photos of Charles Barber • New photo of Charles Barber and George Morgan in Bridgeton New Jersey, March 1897 • Three patterns by Charles Barber • Key date Liberty Head “Barber” coins (5c, 10c, 25c, 50c) • Other coins designed by Charles Barber, including commemoratives, 1883 Hawaiian coinage, Cuban coinage • 1905 passport • Memos from mint departments for European trip of 1905 • Diary of Edith Barber (accompanied her father to Europe in 1905) • Rare heirloom 39-star Flag presented to Charles Barber by President Theodore Roosevelt • 1906 U.S. Mint Assay medal, original case, subject: Theodore Roosevelt, from the Charles E. Barber collection of medals • Letter to Charles Barber from Augustus St. Gaudens, April 1894 • Letter to Charles Barber from Victor D. Brenner, January 1909 • United States Pattern, Trial, and Experimental Pieces, by Edgar H. Adams and William H Woodin, 1913, inscribed compliments to Charles E. Barber by William Woodin, April 3, 1913 • Scan of letter from Mint Director requesting permission to lower the flags to half-staff, 1917 • And more!

In addition, at least one of the descendants is planning to be at the Annual Meeting of the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society (Wednesday August 15, 9:00 a.m. in Room 120-C), and the Annual Meeting of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club (Thursday August 16, 9:00 a.m. in Room 120-C). Everyone is welcome.

In addition, on Friday August 17 at 4:00 p.m., there will be an ANA Money Talks presentation entitled, Fascinating New Discoveries Regarding Father-Son Mint Engravers William and Charles Barber, in Room 121-B.

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