Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 June 13

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From today's featured article

The Isabella quarter was a United States commemorative coin struck in 1893, and is the only U.S. commemorative quarter that was not intended for circulation. It was authorized by Congress at the request of the Board of Lady Managers of the World's Columbian Exposition. The Board wanted a woman to design it, but the sculptor Caroline Peddle left the project after disagreements with Bureau of the Mint officials, who then decided to have the Mint's Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber do the work. The coin depicts Queen Isabella of Spain, who sponsored Columbus's voyages to the New World. The reverse, showing a kneeling woman winding flax, symbolizes women's industry. 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. (Full article...)

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From Wikipedia's newest content:

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In the news

Dua's layer, a previously unknown human body part, is discovered in the cornea.

Japanese supercentenarian Jiroemon Kimura, the verified oldest man in history, dies at the age of 116 years, 54 days.

Greece announces the closure of its public broadcasting corporation, ERT.

China launches Shenzhou 10, the fifth manned mission of the Chinese space program.

At the Tony Awards, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike wins Best Play and Kinky Boots wins Best Musical.

In tennis, the French Open concludes with Serena Williams (pictured) winning the women's singles and Rafael Nadal winning the men's singles.

Recent deaths: Henry Cecil – Iain Banks

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On this day...

June 13

1525 – Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora, against the celibacy discipline decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for priests.

1805 – The Lewis and Clark Expedition became the first European Americans to sight the Great Falls of the Missouri River.

1970 – "The Long and Winding Road" became The Beatles' twentieth and final number one single in the United States.

1983 – Pioneer 10 (Pioneer plaque pictured) passed the orbit of Neptune, becoming the first man-made object to travel beyond the known planets of the Solar System.

2007 – Former Iraqi government official Haitham al-Badri orchestrated a second bombing of the al-Askari Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam.

More anniversaries: June 12 – June 13 – June 14

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Today's featured picture

Aleeta curvicosta, commonly known as the floury baker or floury miller, is a species of cicada common in eastern Australia between November and May. Described by German naturalist Ernst Friedrich Germar in 1834, the name of the genus and its common names are derived from its appearance of having been dusted with flour. Adults average 9–10 cm (4 in) in length.

Photograph: Toby Hudson

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