The “Seated Liberty” quarter was first issued in 1838, and continued in circulation until 1892. The designer, Christian Gobrecht designed a coin that showed a figure of a seated woman who represented “Liberty” with her right hand resting on a Union Shield. Her left hand held a pole that was topped by a Liberty cap. These were all symbols of preparedness and freedom—ideals that were important to U.S. citizens.

After almost 50 years of the “Seated Liberty” design, the director of the U.S. Mint decided it was time for a change. The Seated Liberty dime, quarter, and half-dollar had used the same design for almost 50 years.

Charles Edward Barber, the designer of the “Barber” quarter, was a member of a family who had worked as engravers for generations (Engravers created the designs for the coins and paper money). He was born in England in 1840, and came to the United States with his family when he was 12. Charles’s father was Chief Engraver for the U.S. Mint. Charles later became an assistant engraver. When his father died, Charles became the new Chief Engraver.

A bill in Congress that passed in September of 1890 made it legal for Mint officials to change the design of any coin as long as the “old” design had been in circulation for at least twenty-five years. Since it didn’t have to wait for Congress to say it was O.K. to change to the design of the quarter, the Treasury Department organized a contest. They wanted to see who could produce the best design.

The department chose some of the best engravers in the country to be the judges of the contest. But the judges didn't like any of the designs people sent in. Each of the judges thought they could make up a better design themselves. Charles Barber was eventually chosen to do the work. He made the “Barber design” for new coins, and that was the one the mint used.