Barber Quarters

 A few years ago, while I was still living in Tarzana, California, I found a Barber quarter on the sidewalk.

Since then, I've been curious about them.

According to the American Numismatic Association:

The Barber Quarter, also known as the Liberty Head Quarter, was minted between 1892 and 1916 and was preceded by the Seated Liberty Quarter and was succeeded by the Standing Liberty Quarter. These coins were designed by Charles E. Barber, hence the name Barber. The reason they are also known as the Liberty Head Quarter is because the head on the obverse is that of Lady Liberty. A common complaint about this coin is that many believe the portrait looks much more like a man than a woman. Many would be led to believe that is Mr. Liberty, but it is not. The coin weighs 6.25 grams and is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.

Since I moved to New Mexico five years ago, the Barber quarter has disappeared. It has to be somewhere around the house. I just don't know where.

However, I bought three of them through APMEX (they were relatively cheap) and they arrived today. The dates received are 1907, 1908 and 1915. These are culled circulated coins. 

What is a cull coin?

From APMEX:

Any coin, regardless of its material or design, may be designated as cull if it is in poor condition. Any number of flaws, from cosmetic problems to structural defects, can justify this classification. Holes, scratches, pitting and bends are common among cull coins, as well as severe retooling, dark toning and even poorly performed repairs. By professional coin appraisal and grading standards, which consider a coin’s strike, preservation, luster, color and attractiveness, cull coins range from Fair to Basal State, or Poor.

Here's a couple of photos of them (with flash and without):

UPDATE (2/22/23):

While looking through a bag of Cuban CUC currency that was left over from my 2019 cruise to Havana, I found the 1892 Barber (or Liberty) quarter that had been missing mixed in with the Cuban coins. As it turns out, it is older than the three I bought from APMEX. Its condition is the same as the quarters APMEX sent. 1892 was the first year the Barber quarter was first minted. I put it in a coin capsule and put away with the other three Barber quarters.