Barber Quarter Reverse Versus Standing Liberty Quarter Reverse Smackdown
DisneyFan
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Which do you like better?
Barber Quarter Reverse Versus Standing Liberty Quarter Reverse Smackdown
This is a public poll: others will see what you voted for.
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Hahaha ... not even close in my mind, although I am a fan of the Reverse design on the Barber Quarter, and I even had a ~65% complete Barber Quarter Set at one time!
Of course, I still have an ~80% complete SLQ set, so there I guess there is that.
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Todd - BHNC #242
The Barber quarter reverse is probably the most perfectly balanced coin design there is.
If forced to make a choice I would go with the SLQ, which might be odd since I have specialized for decades in Barber half dollars. However, if the question is "which design got the most out of its elements" I would go with the Barber quarter because the SLQ always felt like its relief was so low that it was missing information that could have or should have been there. In other words, even though I prefer the SLQ reverse, I think the Barber reverse has hit more of its potential.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Tough call, as both are absolutely works of art. Slight lean toward Charles Barber’s masterpiece.
Dave
It’s the SLQ for me. The eagle in flight is just so graceful and dynamic, as a opposed to the static heraldry of the Barber reverse.
Ultimately, I think the design of the eagle and the general cleaner design of the reverse seals it for the SLQ. Which is ironic to me as the obverse is so busy.
Although, one of my two favorite coins in my type collection is a Barber quarter.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
While I selected Barber, one most own a number of each coin -- they are both worthy of any collection.
While I loved collecting the Barber quarters for the challenge, I think the reverse of the Standing Liberty quarters is much more attractive.
The posed eagle with shield, talons clutching arrows, etc. has been done ad nauseam on US coinage for centuries.
These are two of my favorite designs, but my heart is with the Barber.
Standing Liberty by a long shot. While I don’t dislike the Barber eagle, MacNeil’s artistry wins hands down, especially the type 1 design
When I first saw this poll I thought the SLQ would be the easy choice. Not so, but I think it barely edges the Barber:
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Thank you for participating.
I've seen so many "unkind" remarks referring to the silver Barber obverse posted on this board which made me ask myself if fellow collectors feel the same way about the reverse of the quarter and half dollar.
In looking at the two pictures, I must say the eagle in flight is photogenic, almost like a Playboy Playmate. In hand the coin is just a little less dramatic, the three dimension feeling isn't there. Whereas in hand, the Barber heraldry just pops out at you.
In my mind, both coins ARE attractive. To me, back in the day, quarters were the idea size for carrying around in one's pocket. The dime too small and the half dollar too large. I prefer the Barber because the values are the WILD, Wild WEST; whereas, the Standing Liberty values are pretty much in line with their scarcity.
I favor the somewhat simplistic,lone eagle in flight. More majestic when the eagle is in flight.
The Barber reverse is beautiful, but as a work of art I have to go with the SLQ reverse. The Barber reverse is essentially the US seal, so deductions for lack of originality.
The splayed eagle, awaiting dissection, cannot compare to the grace of an eagle in flight!
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I appreciate the SLQ reverse, but have always been more fond of the Barber. I prefer proofs and toned coins, which may explain my preference to some extent.
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"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
The obverse is the good side of the Standing Liberty Quarter. The reverse ... not so much. There are much better flying eagles on the Gobrecht Dollar, Flying Eagle Cent and High Relief St. Gaudens $20 gold.
While I have some absolutely amazing Barber quarters, the graceful flying eagle really piques my ‘photographer’ eye as a peaceful design. Now to find a beautiful 1916 SLQ with FH! Anyone? 😉
I like the Barber design a little better……but I have to admit that the SLQ eagle would annihilate the Barber eagle in a fight over prey/territory.
But that wasn't the thread theme. We have a binary choice, Bill.
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
I don't understand your complaint. The question was, which reverse side is better. I answered it. It prefer the overall Standing Liberty design to the Barber design, but I don't think that the reverse of the Standing Liberty Quarter is that great.
Like the flag, which must be displayed freely flowing and not tacked to any surface, the eagle should also be depicted in flight or in a natural state. To me the Barber design looks more like a chicken pinned to a wall.
USAF veteran 1984-2005
I've always thought it was sad that the SLQ was never issued in Proof (not counting the patterns)...
The Barber seems a little busy to me, and I prefer the elegant simplicity of the Standing Liberty.
I think the SLQ is a better overall package, but I definitely prefer the Barber reverse. It fills the space nicely and carries luster well. The SLQ reverse is a bit too empty for me
I'm a luster guy, and the Barber reverse retains it very well. The design is carefully organized and balanced as noted above.
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Nothing except for maybe the Gobrecht dollar flying eagle among stars reverse beats the SLQ Eagle in flight reverse.
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One of my early memories of coin collecting was dreaming about owning a Barber quarter or half dollar. I would check out from the school library a coin grading book, Photograde, and recheck it out regularly. And i would earmark the page with the Barber Reverse.
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The SLQ reverse screams "Classis American coinage" - the Barber reverse looks like a 4th of July advertisement poster.
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C- they're a tie, in my opinion. I like 'em both, for different reasons.
Now, if you were to compare obverses, on the other hand, then the Standing Lib easily wins, by a mile.
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