1893 Isabella Silver Commemorative Quarter World\'s Fair Columbian Exposition
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1893 Isabella Silver Commemorative Quarter World\'s Fair Columbian Exposition:
$320.00
I believe this to be Uncirculated, but not certain. In protective case.....
THE ISABELLA QUARTER DOLLAR
Reprinted with permission from “Commemorative Coins of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia” by Q. David Bowers
In January 1893, well after the Columbian half dollar was a reality, Mrs. Potter Palmer, well-known Chicago socialite, patron of the arts, and grande dame of the Exposition,[1] suggested to the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives that $10,000 of the money earmarked for the Board of Lady Managers of the World\'s Columbian Exposition be given in the form of a special issue of souvenir (as they were called) quarter dollars. This was translated into a law approved March 3, 1893, which stated that the production of these quarters would not exceed 40,000 and that the pieces would be of standard weight and fineness. Like the Columbian half dollars, the quarters would be made from metal taken from uncurrent silver coins held by the Treasury Department.
The Board of Lady Managers had been formed at the insistence of Susan B. Anthony, who has determined that women should be adequately represented in the administration of the Exposition. Interestingly, there was also a Board of Gentlemen Managers, but this did not get much publicity, as it was taken for granted. The Board of Lady Managers took complete charge of the quarter-dollar project and stated that the coins were to have female motifs. Kenyon Cox, a well-known illustrator, was commissioned to prepare sketches, apparently furnishing motifs that were eventually modified by Charles E. Barber at the Mint. However, another artist, Caroline C. Peddle, one of Cox\'s former art students, was also heavily involved and furnished sketches, all of which were eventually rejected.[2] For the obverse, a depiction of Queen Isabella of Spain was suggested, for King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella furnished the financing for Columbus\' voyage of discovery, Isabella vowing to pledge her crown and jewels if necessary (according to popular legend).
In April 1893 the Treasury Department responded by submitting its own two obverse designs to the Board of Lady Managers, one sketch showing Isabella as a young queen (this was eventually chosen) and the other with a facing head of Isabella as an adult. Thus the Isabella quarter, as it was soon to be designated, became the first legal tender United States coin to depict a foreign monarch
1893 Isabella Silver Commemorative Quarter World\'s Fair Columbian Exposition:
$320.00