Engravers & Designers
CHIEF ENGRAVERS OF THE U.S. MINT
The first Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from its inception in 1793 until
his death in 1823. He was succeeded by William Kneass.
Worked as an engraver in
Philadelphia from 1805 to 1840, and became the second chief engraver
of the United States Mint on January 29, 1824. Kneass was, along with William Barber,
one of only two 19th century Chief Engravers not to have designed any major circulating
coinage. Kneass's wife was Mary Turner Honeyman Kneass. Samuel Honeyman Kneass,
their son, was a notable Philadelphia-based civil engineer and architect.
The third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint
from 1835 until his death in 1844. He was responsible for the famous "Seated Liberty"
designs, which were in turn the direct inspiration for the design of the Trade Dollar.
Gobrecht became the assistant to chief engraver William Kneass after Kneass's stroke
in 1835 and was named Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint upon Kneass's death in 1840.
Gobrecht died in 1844 was himself succeeded by James B. Longacre. Besides engraving
for the Mint he also produced embossing plaque for bookbinding.
An American engraver, was the fourth Chief Engraver
of the
United States Mint from 1844 until his death. He succeeded Christian Gobrecht
in the position as Chief Engraver upon Gobrecht's death. Longacre is probably best
known for designing the Indian Head cent, but was also responsible for the designs
of the Shield nickel, Flying Eagle cent, two-cent piece, nickel three-cent piece,
two different $1 gold pieces, a $3 gold piece, and the first $20 double eagle.
The fifth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1869 until his death. He succeeded
James B. Longacre in the position. Barber holds the rather dubious distinction of
being one of only two Chief Engravers of the Mint in the 19th century not to have
designed any major circulating coinage. (The other was William Kneass.) Barber was
succeeded as Chief Engraver by his son Charles.
The sixth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1879 until
his sudden death in 1917. He succeeded his father, William Barber, in the position.
Barber's best-known designs are the eponymous "Barber" dime, quarter, and half-dollar,
as well as the so-called "V" nickel. Some lesser known designs by Barber include
the trial copper-nickel cent, trial three-cent piece, and the $4 "Stella" Flowing Hair pieces. Barber was succeeded
as Chief Engraver by George T. Morgan.
Born in Birmingham, England, Morgan studied in England, and worked for many years as
a die engraver at Messrs. J.S. & A.B. Wyon. Morgan came to the United States
from England in 1876 and was hired as an assistant engraver at the Mint in October
of that year under William Barber. He figured very prominently in the production
of pattern coins from 1877 onward. Morgan designed several varieties of 1877 half
dollars, the 1879 "Schoolgirl" dollar, and the 1882 "Shield Earring" coins. Eventually,
Morgan took the role of seventh Chief Engraver following the death of Charles E.
Barber in February of 1917. Morgan is most famous for designing the Morgan Dollar, one of many
namesakes.
The eighth Chief
Engraver of the United States Mint and designer of the Roosevelt dime and Franklin
half dollar, among other U.S. coins. His initials "JS" on the dime can be found
at the base of the Roosevelt bust. He also sculpted, although did not design, the
Purple Heart medal. Sinnock was born in Raton, New Mexico and was educated at the
Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art.
A sculptor, gemstone carver, and the ninth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint
between 1948 and 1964. He designed the obverse of the United States Kennedy half
dollar, which was first issued in 1964. After he retired from the U.S. Mint, he
became chairman of the Franklin Mint. He served in this position until 1971.
The tenth Chief Engraver of the United
States Mint, holding this position from February 23, 1965 to January 16, 1981. Before
that, he was Assistant Engraver. Gasparro was born in Philadelphia. He designed
both sides of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar, both sides of the Eisenhower Dollar,
the Lincoln Memorial reverse of the cent, and the reverse of the Kennedy Half Dollar.
The eleventh and last Chief Engraver
of the United States Mint, holding this position from 1981 until her resignation
in 1990. After her resignation, the post of Chief Engraver was left vacant, and
was subsequently abolished. Jones was just 46 when President Ronald Reagan appointed
her as Chief Engraver, relatively young by chief engraver standards. However, by
this time she had already built an impressive reputation as one of the leading medallists
in the world. Her talent and distinctive style, which she describes as “mildly abstract,”
had earned her a lengthy series of commissions from such prestigious clients as
The Franklin Mint, Medallic Art Company and the Judaic Heritage Society. When Frank
Gasparro retired in 1981 after 16 years as chief engraver, friends in the art world
and in Washington, D.C., urged her to apply. She did, and soon had a new job.
DESIGNERS
Augustus Saint-Gaudens