By 1887, the Seated Liberty quarter had been around for almost half a century. This prompted U.S. Mint Director James Kimball to push for a new design. An open competition was held but the entries were not inspiring. Thus, the mint’s Chief Engraver, Charles E. Barber, was given the job of designing the new coin.

The Barber Quarter that was eventually adopted in 1892 featured a cameo-like profile of Lady Liberty that was similar to the one that had been used on the Morgan silver dollar in 1878, except it’s facing to the right. On her head sat the ever-popular Liberty cap and a laurel wreath. The words "In God We Trust" appeared at the top of the coin above her head, while the coin’s year was placed at its bottom.

The quarter’s reverse reproduced the Great Seal of the United States, and in the eagle’s beak was a ribbon with the words "E Pluribus Unum" on it. Both sides of the Barber quarte...r featured 13 stars, one for each of the original colonies.