1916 Hermon MacNeil Pattern Design Standing Liberty Quarter

coinsarefun

I think it’s kinda neat with the dolphins. And, I think it’s been discussed here several times before.
Any new sentiments towards his proposed original design?

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For comparison this is mine.

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DCW

I like the dolphins, but I'm glad they moved "In God We Trust" off her drapery. It looks much more balanced on the wall.
Overall, I think the final version is more pleasing to the eye.

BuffaloIronTail

I like it a lot.

Pete

koynekwest

I also like the dolphins. It's too bad they weren't incorporated in the final design. And that's a very pretty 1924-S you have there.

TomB

I think the dolphins look amazing.

coinsarefun

I’m happy there are a few of us here that like the original design but, I like the one they did too.

gonzer

Strange that his visage of dolphins is one with an angry look whereas normally they're shown smiling. His renditions resemble 15th and 16th century portrayals of 'sea monsters'.

PerryHall

Those dolphins really look angry.
I like the dolphins on the Pan Pac Expo commemorative gold dollar a lot more.

gumby1234

Cool design, but I like the one they went with better.
@coinsarefun its MacNeil not McNeil.

coinsarefun

All fixed @gumby1234

7Jaguars

This looks like Dan Carr material, maybe with cheerier dolphins as per above....

TurtleCat

From all accounts, the type 2 SLQ is based on MacNeil's critique of what he saw of his design and the mint's rendering of it plus flaws in commerce. I do like both designs but there are some myths that built up over the years from the change.

A few excerpts from the most excellent book: VanRyzin, Robert R.. Fascinating Facts, Mysteries and Myths About U.S. Coins. I recommend everyone here to buy and read. It's the kind of book I wish more people would put out.

On Jan. 11, 1917, shortly after the coins entered circulation, MacNeil wrote to Von Engelken complaining that the coins as issued had "a resemblance to" a design he made the prior spring, one that he later “changed and modified considerably” with approval of the Mint director and the Treasury secretary. He was therefore surprised to see this discarded early modeling on the quarter in circulation.

McAdoo concluded, "I am sorry to have to ask for this change, but since the original dies were made the artist has found that they are not true to the original design and that a great improvement can be made in the artistic value and appearance of the coin by making the slight changes the act contemplates."

Under the heading "Miss Liberty Now in a Gown of Mail?" the editorial in the same issue of The Numismatist did question the intention of the designer in placing Liberty in the new covering, wondering if it had anything to do with the country’s movement from a state of "preparedness" displayed on the initial design to one reflecting its subsequent entry into World War I. Beyond artistic considerations, the only other concern raised in House and Senate debate over the design change was the coin’s inability to properly stack, a concern addressed in the redesign and likely of importance in the decision to grant the artist his concessions.

ricko

I prefer the design with the dolphins... It added more 'art' to the design....something I feel is lacking on modern coins. Cheers, RickO

291fifth

If that version had been minted would collectors be concerned about having complete belly button?

FrankH

Walkerfan

I don’t like it. The Dolphins look demonic and the words ‘in God we trust’ are too small.

Broadstruck

There's got to be another reissue?

As Miss Liberty looks like Smeagol on this one.

breakdown

Is that a bird on the shield?

dcarr

@TomB said:
I think the dolphins look amazing.

I missed out on buying that cast by a few minutes when it was for sale at Heritage

If the current owner of it, whomever they are, had any sense they would contact me about making some strikes using that cast as a model

ZoidMeister

@dcarr said:

@TomB said:
I think the dolphins look amazing.

I missed out on buying that cast by a few minutes when it was for sale at Heritage

If the current owner of it, whomever they are, had any sense they would contact me about making some strikes using that cast as a model

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First in line!

Z

amwldcoin

The Dolphin on the left is the one that looks angry.

291fifth

The cast appears to have a center mark to enable its use in the reduction machine.

Weiss

I love the dolphins. They are a throwback, but are also just the style of the time, I think. Check out the reverse of the 1915 Pan Pac G$1 by Charles Keck:

ZoidMeister

I'm finally a member of the club . . . . . . !

Woo Hoo . . . . .

Z
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pcgscacgold

@ZoidMeister said:
I'm finally a member of the club . . . . . . !

Woo Hoo . . . . .

Z
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I am going to have to find one of these. I have been distracted (in a good way) with a lot of DC material lately.