You know her from the Morgan Silver Dollar. Miss Liiberty - Anna Willaims Portrait
TopographicOceans
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In 1876, George T. Morgan began creating a series of new coin designs at the behest of Director of the Mint, Dr. Henry R. Linderman. Morgan opted to use the profile of an American girl to depict Liberty instead of simply creating an imaginary figure for the obverse of his new design.
After he rejected several possible candidates, Morgan's friend, artist Thomas Eakins, recommended Anna Williams of Philadelphia. Eakins knew Williams through her father, Henry Williams.
She reluctantly sat for five modeling sessions with Morgan in November 1876 after being convinced to do so by friends. Morgan was impressed with her profile, stating that it was the most perfect he had seen in England or America.
The silver dollar bearing her likeness was first struck on March 11, 1878.
A condition of her sitting for Morgan was that her identity be kept secret, but the subject of the portrait was revealed to be Williams shortly after the dollar was released.
Williams was troubled by her newly acquired fame, receiving thousands of letters and visits at both her home and workplace.
Williams preferred not to talk about her modeling work with Morgan, dismissing it as an "incident of my youth."
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I enjoyd and appreciate the post.
Mike
Draped Bust & the Christian Gobrecht Liberty heads are my favorite.
<< <i>the way I heard it ..the lady was a school teacher and lost her position because of the modeling job....guess my version is just an urban legend >>
Chumley, I had read that somewhere as well and thought it was true. I don't, however, remember where or when that was. I guess we'll find out what's what in due time. Or as Paul Harvey used to say "and that's the rest of the story...". Or in this case, "that's the real story".
Hoard the keys.
<< <i>Well, be reassured, the "portrait" above looks nothing like Anna Williams. >>
I'm anxiously waiting for the publication of his new research.