This 1932 quarter reverse plaster model for Laura Gardin Fraser's winning 1932 Washington Quarter submission is an amazing and significant discovery, unknown to the numismatic community until 2020.

The significance and timelessness of Laura Fraser's design cannot be overstated is it was selected as the winner of the design competition for the 1932 Washington Quarter by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) (though overrideen by Treasury Secretary Andrew William Mellon at the time), issued as the 1999 George Washington Commemorative Gold Five-Dollar coin, and has seen Fraser's obverse used for the circulating quarter starting in 2022. If the U.S. wasn't using rotating reverses for the circulation quarter, it is quite likely that this reverse design would be in use today.

These pieces were introduced to the numismatic community by Steve Davis of Numismatic Auctions LLC, from a consigner that indicated these were likely passed down through Victor Anthony de Meo (1882-1947), a friend and business associate of the Frasers, to his son William de Meo who worked for the Frasers, to extended family members and finally an estate sale.


1932 Washington Quarter Reverse Plaster Model

The plaster model was described by Steve Davis as:

Features a white alabaster plaster model with olive green applied finish, 11 1/2" diameter, 1 1/4" thick, with integral wire hangar as made on back, unsigned but design executed by Laura Gardin Fraser for use as the reverse of the 1932 George Washington Commemorative replacement for the Standing Liberty Quarter. The design depicts a magnificent Eagle in Heraldry with arrows and olive spray in talons, 13 stars above with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at top while the Motto E PLURIBUS UNUM and QUARTER DOLLAR denomination reside below. Overall EF or better, some random minor chipping about the edge and to the finish, cpl trivial cracks in the surface coloration due to age and some scattered areas of regional age toning and insignificant sediment/dust in devices.

Photo courtesy of Numismatic Auctions LLC.

Original Studio Portrait of Lauran Gardin Fraser
with Plaster Model

Also of significance is an original sepia tone photographic portant of Laura Fraser working on what appears to be the plaster model for the 1932 Washington Quarter reverse. This photograph is significant for two reasons:

1. It may be the only known photograph of Laura Fraser working on a coin plaster model.
2. Victor Anthony de Meo was a photographer for a Frasers and further highlights the relationship between the two families.

The following description was provided by Steve Davis:

Accompanied by an original sepia tone 8"x10" Studio photographic portrait print of Laura Gardin Fraser at her easel, sculpting what appears to be the obverse for the aforementioned plaster. The image was lightly pierced at the top with a single pinhole for suspension, but otherwise perfect and accented by some peripheral silvering. The image conveys a rare window in time, viewing one of America's most noteworthy coin designers at work.

Photo courtesy of Numismatic Auctions LLC.

1999 Washington Five Dollar Gold Coin Comparison

For comparison, the reverse of the 1999 Washington Five Dollar Gold Coin is shown below.

Photo courtesy of PCGS.

References

1. Davis, Steve. "Washington Quarter and Peace Dollar Plasters." The E-Sylum: Volume 23, Number 40. October 4, 2020. https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n40a22.html. Accessed on January 29, 2023.
   
   
2. Numismatic Auctions, LLC. "Likely Unique and Previously Unknown Original Unadopted Reverse Plaster and Original Studio Photograph of Laura Gardin Fraser Sculpting the Washington Quarter Design, c. 1931." Auction Sale 65, Lot 1104P. November 23, 2020.