Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Standing Liberty Quarters
1916 25C MS63 Full Head PCGS. On January 6, 1917, Hermon MacNeil sent a money order, enclosed in a letter, to Mint Superintendent Adam Joyce requesting 20 examples of the new quarter dollar issue that was to bear his designs. He wrote in part: "It would be a great pleasure to me if I might have a few of the first edition at the earliest moment that fitted your convenience."
By this point in January, both 1916 and 1917-dated coins were available at the Mint for such an order. Which issue was sent to MacNeil was not documented, although it is very likely that the sculptor did in fact receive examples of the "first edition," the 1916. In his famous January 11th letter of complaint to Mint Director F.H. von Engelken concerning the Mint's poor execution of his design, one of the modifications that MacNeil proposed was "To bring the head of the figure a trifle lower so as not to appear to be holding up the rim of the coin." Of the two Type One issues, the 1916 is that which has Liberty's head breaking into the reed and bead around the border. Thus, it is probable that MacNeil was indeed viewing examples of the 1916 issue when he made a stand for improvements to the design.
This 1916 Standing Liberty quarter displays mattelike champagne-gray luster with flashes of peach in the fields when tilted beneath a light. A few flecks of russet toning attest to the originality of the surfaces. The coin is well-struck -- most importantly on Liberty's head and the date -- and there are limited noticeable abrasions.
1916 25C MS63 Full Head PCGS. On January 6, 1917, Hermon MacNeil sent a money order, enclosed in a letter, to Mint Superintendent Adam Joyce requesting 20 examples of the new quarter dollar issue that was to bear his designs. He wrote in part: "It would be a great pleasure to me if I might have a few of the first edition at the earliest moment that fitted your convenience."
By this point in January, both 1916 and 1917-dated coins were available at the Mint for such an order. Which issue was sent to MacNeil was not documented, although it is very likely that the sculptor did in fact receive examples of the "first edition," the 1916. In his famous January 11th letter of complaint to Mint Director F.H. von Engelken concerning the Mint's poor execution of his design, one of the modifications that MacNeil proposed was "To bring the head of the figure a trifle lower so as not to appear to be holding up the rim of the coin." Of the two Type One issues, the 1916 is that which has Liberty's head breaking into the reed and bead around the border. Thus, it is probable that MacNeil was indeed viewing examples of the 1916 issue when he made a stand for improvements to the design.
This 1916 Standing Liberty quarter displays mattelike champagne-gray luster with flashes of peach in the fields when tilted beneath a light. A few flecks of russet toning attest to the originality of the surfaces. The coin is well-struck -- most importantly on Liberty's head and the date -- and there are limited noticeable abrasions.