Liberty Leading the People Trivia Quiz

Answer: Flowing Hair

The obverse features a head with unbound hair that would fall to slightly below the shoulders. This design also featured a small eagle surrounded by a wreath on the reverse of the coins. These coins feature the word "Liberty" and the date minted on the obverse and "United States of America" on the reverse. Chief Engraver of the US Mint Robert Scot (1745-1823) created this design.

Answer: Draped Bust

Robert Scot created this design, based on a portrait by artist Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828). The obverse of the coins featured a a head and shoulders figure of a woman with flowing hair. As the name suggests, cloth or clothing drapes the shoulders and bust of the woman.

These coins featured two different eagles on the reverse: the small eagle similar to that used on the Flowing Hair coin in the early years and a heraldic eagle in the later years. The heraldic eagle included a ribbon bearing the phrase "E pluribus unum".

It is suggested the Philadelphia socialite Ann Willing Bingham was the artist's model for the coin.

Answer: Capped Bust

On the obverse, the head of a woman is shown with cloth draped about the shoulders and bust. The woman wears a Phrygian cap (ancient symbol of freedom), also known as a liberty cap, that has a ribbon with the word liberty. The reverse of the coin features an eagle perched on an olive branch and clutching arrows, as well as the denomination in number and "C." (cents). John Reich (1768-1833) created this design, with some modifications by William Kneass in the 1830s.

Answer: Liberty Seated

Christian Gobrecht created this design, though other artists modified it over the years. The coin featured a woman representing Liberty seated on a rock with a shield emblazoned with "Liberty" resting on the stone. The reverse of the half dime and the dime has a wreath surrounding the denomination.

The larger denominations feature an eagle. During the production period of this design, the amount of silver in the coin was decreased slightly in the 1850s and then increased slightly in the 1870s. Arrows near the date were used for a short period in both cases to indicate the changes.

A modified version of this design was created by engraver William Barber for the short-lived twenty-cent coin (1875-1878).

Answer: Liberty Head (Barber)

The obverse features a liberty head wearing a laurel crown, rendered in a Roman style. The reverse of the dime has a wreath surrounding the denomination. The reverse of the quarter dollar dollar and the half dollar features a heraldic eagle, carrying 13 arrows and an olive branch in its claws.

The coins were designed for long term use: circulating examples were still found in the 1950s. Charles E. Barber (1840-1917) created this design.

Answer: Winged Liberty Head

This coin is commonly, though incorrectly, called the "Mercury" dime, due to a resemblance to the Roman god. The image of the liberty head wearing a cap with wings is actually meant to symbolize freedom of thought. The reverse features fasces, a traditional symbol of Roman authority.

The coin was created in part because Mint officials thought that a law that allowed coin designs to be replaced after 25 years meant that they must be replaced. Adolph A. Weinman (1870-1952) created this design.

Answer: Standing Liberty

Hermon A. MacNeil (1866-1947) created this design. The obverse features the figure of Liberty bearing a shield and armored. Early issues of the coin actually showed Liberty's bare breast. The reverse featured an eagle in flight. The model for Liberty is uncertain, with some sources suggesting Doris Doscher and others Irene MacDowell.

It has been suggested that the coin, first issued a few months before US entry into World War I, was meant to suggest US willingness to participate in that conflict.

Answer: Liberty Walking

The obverse features a full length figure of liberty caught in mid-stride. A sun can be seen rising towards the lower portion of the coin. (A modified version of this design would be used for the American Silver Eagle bullion coins.) Some scholars consider this to be the most attractive design ever used for a US coin.

The reverse features an eagle perched on a branch. Adolph A. Weinman (1870-1952) created this design.

Answer: Morgan (Liberty Head)

George T. Morgan (1845-1925) created this design. This coin was actually minted from 1878 to 1904 with a single additional year in 1921. The model for the face on the obverse was Anna Willess Williams. The obverse features a woman's head with a Phrygian cap and a band which reads "Liberty". George T. Morgan (1845-1925) created this design. Though his coin is not usually referred to as "Liberty Head", it does feature a facial portrait of a representation of liberty.

The reverse features an eagle partially surrounded by a wreath. Compared to earlier silver dollars, the Morgan dollar was minted in relatively large numbers.

Answer: Peace (Liberty Head)

Anthony T. Francisci (1887-1964) created this design. His wife Teresa served as the model for the coin though the face on the obverse of the coin is not a photographic likeness of her. The reverse of the coin features an eagle holding an olive branch.

The use of the word "peace" on the reverse commemorates the end of World War I. Although this coin is not usually called a "Liberty Head", it does feature a head of a woman that is designated as a representation of liberty. To me, this image of the liberty head and the eagle has an Art Deco feel.