Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition

William Barber

1876 · Bronze · The American Wing

A prolific designer of medals and coins, London-born Barber was the Chief Engraver at the United States Mint from 1869 to 1879. In 1876 Barber engraved a gilt bronze commemorative medal for that year’s Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. On the obverse, Liberty crowns female personifications of Art and Industry with laurel wreaths, while the reverse bears a kneeling Liberty holding an unsheathed sword.

Artist

William Barber

Date

1876

Medium

Bronze

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Wait, 1907