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Charles E. Barber, Artist in Metal
Charles E. Barber is hardly a well-known figure in history, yet he designed some of the most beautiful medals and coins ever produced in the United States. He served as Chief Engraver at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia from 1879 until 1917, and probably designed more coins and medals than any person ever employed by the U.S. Government. His contributions as the designer of the last American Indian Peace Medals are commemorated in the peace medal exhibit in the Museum of Westward Expansion.
Charles Barber was born in London, England on November 16, 1840. His grandfather John and father William were both engravers. William Barber immigrated to the United States with his family, including 12-year-old Charles, in 1852. The elder Barber was appointed Chief Engraver at the U.S. Mint in 1869, and Charles, by then 29, was apprenticed to his father at that time. William Barber died suddenly at Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1879, and President Rutherford B. Hayes nominated Charles to succeed him as chief engraver. Charles Barber's appointment was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 20, 1880. The Philadelphia Mint was the oldest in the United States, and had the only engraving department in the country. The position of chief engraver was therefore very prestigious, and was a direct presidential appointment.
During a long and productive career, Charles Barber designed a large number of coins and medals. These included the so-called Barber dimes, quarters and half dollars (first struck in 1892 and used until 1916), the Liberty Head Nickel (struck between 1883 and 1912), Hawaiian coinage, Cuban coinage, the 1892-93 Columbian Exposition half dollar (obverse), the 1900 Lafayette dollar, the 1903 Louisiana Purchase gold dollar, the 1904 Lewis and Clark Exposition gold dollar, the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition quarter eagle and 50 cent piece, and the 1916 McKinley Memorial gold dollar. Barber's design for the reverse of the Columbian half dollar was chosen over that of Augustus St. Gaudens. In addition, Barber designed at least 29 different medals produced by the Mint, including portrait medals, lifesaving medals, inauguration medals, and American Indian Peace Medals. Barber helped design the Ulysses S. Grant peace medal, and created portrait designs for presidents James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison. In 1905, the U.S. Government sent him to study the mints and learn from the engravers of Europe.
Barber's designs were heavily influenced by classical antiquity and his native England. In fact, all three engravers at the mint during the end of the 19th century were English, including the elder and younger Barbers and George T. Morgan. Charles Barber's coinage has been condemned by some critics as boring and predictable, while others have noted the strength of his designs and the durability of the pieces, from which dates and other highlights do not wear off, even after years of handling. Barber excelled in his fine portraiture, and won international praise.
Barber was interested not only in engraving medals, but also in miniature sculpture and music. He was an avid reader and nature-lover, and loved to take long walks in the country. On March 4, 1875, Barber married Martha E. Jones. The couple had one daughter, Edith, who later married William T. Moseley of Wilmington, Delaware. Barber's first wife died in 1898, and he married Caroline Gaston on December 3, 1902. Charles Barber died suddenly on February 18, 1917, in Philadelphia.
On balance, Barber was a man of his time whose designs may have gone out of fashion, but whose artistic merit cannot be doubted. His fine portraits and artistry in metal will be admired by successive generations of Americans who appreciate true craftsmanship and dedication.
Caption for page one: In this group photograph of the engraving staff of the Philadelphia Mint, Charles E. Barber is the man seated second from left.
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