The model for the "winged Liberty" dime was a Ms. Stevens, whose husband was a writer during the time. A sharp featured lady whose photo I have seen on the forum. To me she has always been a she and taking it a step further, from the time I was a kid (and the Walking Liberty half and Mercury Dime first came out) I thought they were the same lady on both coins. When I first saw a Barber coin, my first impression was that it was a young man with a classic profile. Pete
"Ain't None of Them play like him (Bix Beiderbecke) Yet." Louis Armstrong
I showed my wife (who does not know anything about coins) a Barber quarter, Morgan dollar, and a Mercury dime, and asked her if each one was a woman or man. She instantly said woman for all three.
Although there is a female persona associated with Liberty, the Barber half can't even be morphed into a female, not even by squinting my eyes. The Mercury dime looks like a masculine female. The winged helmet helps to soften her face up. If there was no helmet on her head she would look like a man, but I think it was intended to be a woman.
In my mind, the Barber half has always been a male and the Mercury dime has always been a female with a thick chin and hook nose.
It's not a winged "helmet". That is a depiction of a Phrygian Cap. Mercury wore a winged helmet, which is likely why many people were confused over the design.
The person on the Barber coinage looks male. I understand it is supposed to be a female. Maybe his/her name is Pat? The Mercury Dime certainly looks male to me too.
Dorkgirl, Wow that side by side of Michelangelo's David is just unreal as the whole point of the Barber series as I recall was to differentiate the US Seated coinage design from the Brit's.
To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
Collecting Minnie Minoso Master and Basic 1967 Topps PSA 8+ 1960's Topps run Mega Set "For me, playing baseball has been like a war and I was defending the uniform I wore, Every time I put on the uniform I respected it like the American flag. I wore it like I was representing every Latin country."--Minnie Minoso
Comments
When I first saw a Barber coin, my first impression was that it was a young man with a classic profile.
Pete
Louis Armstrong
Barber Coins = we may never know
Platinum?
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
US and British coin collector, and creator of The Ultimate Chuck E. Cheese's and Showbiz Pizza Place Token & Ticket Guide
I missed this thread. Interesting topic.
Although there is a female persona associated with Liberty, the Barber half can't even be morphed into a female, not even by squinting my eyes.
The Mercury dime looks like a masculine female. The winged helmet helps to soften her face up. If there was no helmet on her head she would look like a man, but I think it was intended to be a woman.
In my mind, the Barber half has always been a male and the Mercury dime has always been a female with a thick chin and hook nose.
<< <i>
<< <i>That's a dude? >>
Looks like one to me and the Barber coins are dude's as well.
The Morgan is a little iffy............
and I ain't smokin nuthin! >>
I agree completely. The Barber coin IS a DUDE!!!! No Doubt!!!
<< <i>Liberty--male or female???
Man boobs? Sorry I couldn't resist.
BTW
What kind of Bee produces milk?
Boobees
Minnie Minoso Master and Basic
1967 Topps PSA 8+
1960's Topps run Mega Set
"For me, playing baseball has been like a war and I was defending the uniform I wore, Every time I put on the uniform I respected it like the American flag. I wore it like I was representing every Latin country."--Minnie Minoso