In country like U.S. there is nothing which can be held without the intention of government. Especially, like release and circulation of coins. But there is an commemorative coin, that circulated unintentionally.
Isabella
quarter
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| Reverse Side |
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| Obverse Side |
The Isabella quarter or Columbian Exposition quarter was a
United States commemorative coin struck in 1893. Congress authorized the piece
at the request of the Board of Lady Managers of the World's Columbian
Exposition. The quarter depicts Queen Isabella of Spain, who sponsored
Columbus's voyages to the New World. It was designed by Bureau of the Mint
Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber, and is the only U.S. commemorative of that
denomination that was not intended for circulation.
The Board of Lady Managers, headed by Chicago socialite
Bertha Palmer, wanted a woman to design the coin and engaged Caroline Peddle, a
sculptor. Peddle left the project after disagreements with Mint officials, who
then decided to have Barber do the work. The reverse design, showing a kneeling
woman winding flax, with a distaff in her left hand and a spindle in her right,
symbolizes women's industry and was based on a sketch by Assistant Engraver
George T. Morgan.
The quarter's design was deprecated in the numismatic press.
The coins did not sell well at the Exposition; its price of $1 was the same as
for the Columbian half dollar and the quarter was seen as the worse deal.
Nearly half of the authorized issue was returned to the Mint to be melted;
thousands more were purchased at face value by the Lady Managers and entered
the coin market in the early 20th century. Today, they are popular with
collectors and valued in the hundreds to thousands of dollars.
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