ENGRAVERS
Joseph Wright
1792 - 1793
1792 - 1793
Joseph Wright (1756 - 1793), was born in Bordentown, New Jersey on the 16th of July 1756 and was skilled as a painter and sculptor as well as an engraver. His mother, Patience (Lovell) Wright, was a renowned sculptor in clay and wax with shops in New York, London and Paris. She spent the revolutionary war in London and acted as a spy, sending reports on British plans inside wax figures to Benjamin Franklin in France.
Wright himself went to France in 1782 and stayed at the Franklin residence for several months. Wright was a portrait painter and he painted several portraits of Franklin, which were copies of the Duplesis originals, while living in France (these were all lost at sea when a ship he was on ran aground off the coast of Maine during his return to America). After an introduction to General Washington in 1783, he created a plaster mold of his face, using this to create a bronze bust. After moving to New York in 1785, he later moved back to Philadelphia and was married there to Sarah Vandervoordt on December 5th, 1789.
Wright began working in the Mint sometime in the second half of 1792. Although he was later commissioned as a draughtsman & diesinker, he was never officially commissioned as the Chief Engraver, however everyone considered him as such. He succumbed to the effects of the almost annual “yellow fever” epidemics that plagued Philadelphia, in September 1793, cutting short his talented and promising legacy as our first Mint engraver.
Wright himself went to France in 1782 and stayed at the Franklin residence for several months. Wright was a portrait painter and he painted several portraits of Franklin, which were copies of the Duplesis originals, while living in France (these were all lost at sea when a ship he was on ran aground off the coast of Maine during his return to America). After an introduction to General Washington in 1783, he created a plaster mold of his face, using this to create a bronze bust. After moving to New York in 1785, he later moved back to Philadelphia and was married there to Sarah Vandervoordt on December 5th, 1789.
Wright began working in the Mint sometime in the second half of 1792. Although he was later commissioned as a draughtsman & diesinker, he was never officially commissioned as the Chief Engraver, however everyone considered him as such. He succumbed to the effects of the almost annual “yellow fever” epidemics that plagued Philadelphia, in September 1793, cutting short his talented and promising legacy as our first Mint engraver.
Bob Birch
1792 – 1793
Bob Birch (17?? - 1793?), was born in London. Although other researchers have always noted him as “Robert”, in the surviving mint records, he is listed only as Bob Birch. The 1792 Birch pattern Cent is named after him, however exactly what other dies Birch may have engraved while working at the new Mint is up for debate. He was one of several engravers privately employed in the 1st year of the Mint working on coinage dies, that are today considered patterns, and he was never commissioned as an officer of the Mint. He most likely succumbed to the effects of the “yellow fever” epidemic in September 1793 along with Wright, as there is no mention or records of him past this time.
Jacob Perkins
1792
Jacob Perkins (1766 - 1849), was born in Newburyport, Mass. on July 9th, 1766. Perkins was a gifted and prolific inventor who had very little formal schooling. He was apprenticed to a goldsmith at age thirteen, took over his master's business at age fifteen, and went on to invent a method of plating shoe buckles. By age twenty-one, Perkins had been hired by the State of Massachusetts to make dies for copper coinage.
In 1790, Perkins made what is perhaps his most important invention, a machine for cutting and heading nails in one operation. As a result, nails could be mass-produced and sold cheaply. Perkins patented his machine in 1795, and setup a nail-manufacturing company, but a subsequent lawsuit about the invention ruined the business. He also took an interest in fire engines, making several improvements that were patented in 1812 & 1813. Perkins next invented steel (rather than copper) plates for bank-note engraving that made counterfeiting money nearly impossible. He pursued his interest in engraving in Boston, then New York, and finally Philadelphia. While in Philadelphia, he brought many inventive techniques to the early Mint. Some of the edge devices found on the copper coins in 1793, may have come from Perkins. Some researchers suggest he may have been the engraver of the 1792 half dimes, based on among other things, his being in Philadelphia that summer. He is also known for several dies he engraved pertaining to President Washington, a silver dollar pattern in 1793, and the 1800 funeral medals in particular. He only did contract work for the Mint however, and was never made an officer.
After moving to Philadelphia in 1815, Perkins created another pattern for the Mint, an 1818 dated cent. Also in 1818, along with his partner Gideon Fairman, Perkins sailed for England to establish their banknote engraving process in that country. They set up a factory in 1819, that for many years made plates and printed notes for local banks. Around 1823, he began conducting numerous experiments with high-pressure steam engines and boilers, and eventually introduced many innovations and improvements. Perkins unveiled an improved paddlewheel in 1829; in 1831, he invented a way to achieve free circulation of water in boilers; his 1834,,,, description of the vapor compression cycle for refrigeration and ice-making was revolutionary. Other Perkins inventions included the steam-gun; a pleometer (to measure the speed of a vessel moving through water); a bathometer (to measure the depth of water); a process of transferring engravings from one steel plate to another; a ship's pump; and a method of ventilating rooms and ships' holds. Perkins was recognized in several countries for his work, and received various awards. He died in London on July 30th, 1849.
In 1790, Perkins made what is perhaps his most important invention, a machine for cutting and heading nails in one operation. As a result, nails could be mass-produced and sold cheaply. Perkins patented his machine in 1795, and setup a nail-manufacturing company, but a subsequent lawsuit about the invention ruined the business. He also took an interest in fire engines, making several improvements that were patented in 1812 & 1813. Perkins next invented steel (rather than copper) plates for bank-note engraving that made counterfeiting money nearly impossible. He pursued his interest in engraving in Boston, then New York, and finally Philadelphia. While in Philadelphia, he brought many inventive techniques to the early Mint. Some of the edge devices found on the copper coins in 1793, may have come from Perkins. Some researchers suggest he may have been the engraver of the 1792 half dimes, based on among other things, his being in Philadelphia that summer. He is also known for several dies he engraved pertaining to President Washington, a silver dollar pattern in 1793, and the 1800 funeral medals in particular. He only did contract work for the Mint however, and was never made an officer.
After moving to Philadelphia in 1815, Perkins created another pattern for the Mint, an 1818 dated cent. Also in 1818, along with his partner Gideon Fairman, Perkins sailed for England to establish their banknote engraving process in that country. They set up a factory in 1819, that for many years made plates and printed notes for local banks. Around 1823, he began conducting numerous experiments with high-pressure steam engines and boilers, and eventually introduced many innovations and improvements. Perkins unveiled an improved paddlewheel in 1829; in 1831, he invented a way to achieve free circulation of water in boilers; his 1834,,,, description of the vapor compression cycle for refrigeration and ice-making was revolutionary. Other Perkins inventions included the steam-gun; a pleometer (to measure the speed of a vessel moving through water); a bathometer (to measure the depth of water); a process of transferring engravings from one steel plate to another; a ship's pump; and a method of ventilating rooms and ships' holds. Perkins was recognized in several countries for his work, and received various awards. He died in London on July 30th, 1849.
Robert Scot
1st Chief Engraver
1793 - 1823
1st Chief Engraver
1793 - 1823
Robert Scot (1745 - 1823), was born to George Scott & Allison Rutherfoord in Canongate, Scotland, eventually a part Edinburgh on October 2nd.
Scot was first trained as a watchmaker in England, and then learned the art of engraving, although he was best known as an engraver of flat work and bank note plates in particular. He came to the United States in 1777, and engraved plates for subsistence money, bills of exchange and office scales used by Robert Morris as Superintendent of Finance during the Revolutionary War with Britain. In 1780, Scot was appointed as the state engraver of Virginia and had personal contact with Thomas Jefferson at this time. He moved to Philadelphia sometime in 1781, continuing in the engraving business in that city.
In November of 1793, Scot was commissioned as Chief Engraver of the United States Mint in Philadelphia by Mint Director Rittenhouse, to replace the recently deceased Joseph Wright. He is credited with the designs of the 1795–1797 $10 eagle, the 1796 Quarter (along with John S. Gardner), the 1797–1804 Heraldic Eagle, the 1794–1797 half cent, and the 1800–1808 draped bust type half cent.
Although many researchers and writers comment that Scot was not the best coin die engraver, or was even hesitant to engrave new dies when needed, this is far from the truth, as he was an accomplished engraver who trained many future engravers. Due to his length of service and commission from President Washington, he was never supplanted in the Mint engraver post until his death. He passed away while in office on November 1st, 1823, after tenure of 30 years.
Scot was first trained as a watchmaker in England, and then learned the art of engraving, although he was best known as an engraver of flat work and bank note plates in particular. He came to the United States in 1777, and engraved plates for subsistence money, bills of exchange and office scales used by Robert Morris as Superintendent of Finance during the Revolutionary War with Britain. In 1780, Scot was appointed as the state engraver of Virginia and had personal contact with Thomas Jefferson at this time. He moved to Philadelphia sometime in 1781, continuing in the engraving business in that city.
In November of 1793, Scot was commissioned as Chief Engraver of the United States Mint in Philadelphia by Mint Director Rittenhouse, to replace the recently deceased Joseph Wright. He is credited with the designs of the 1795–1797 $10 eagle, the 1796 Quarter (along with John S. Gardner), the 1797–1804 Heraldic Eagle, the 1794–1797 half cent, and the 1800–1808 draped bust type half cent.
Although many researchers and writers comment that Scot was not the best coin die engraver, or was even hesitant to engrave new dies when needed, this is far from the truth, as he was an accomplished engraver who trained many future engravers. Due to his length of service and commission from President Washington, he was never supplanted in the Mint engraver post until his death. He passed away while in office on November 1st, 1823, after tenure of 30 years.
William Kneass
2nd Chief Engraver
1824 - 1840
William Kneass (1781 - 1840), was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in September 1781. Kneass’s wife was Mary Turner Honeyman Kneass. Samuel Honeyman Kneass, their son, was a notable Philadelphia-based civil engineer and architect.
Kneass Worked as an engraver in Philadelphia from 1805 to 1840. He was also apparently a copperplate engraver for Oliver Evans for some time before his employ with the Mint. After Scot’s death, he was commissioned as the second Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on January 29, 1824, due to the recommendation of Chief Coiner Adam Eckfeldt. During his tenure, he oversaw the introduction of the “close” collar die technology (1827–1831) and is the presumed designer of the Classic gold coinage (1834–1839).
Kneass suffered a stroke in late August 1835, which created paralysis on his right side. Due to this, he was unable to engrave dies and Mint Director Patterson immediately requested permission from Treasury Secretary Levi Woodbury to hire Christian Gobrecht. Kneass passed away while in office on August 27th, 1840.
Kneass Worked as an engraver in Philadelphia from 1805 to 1840. He was also apparently a copperplate engraver for Oliver Evans for some time before his employ with the Mint. After Scot’s death, he was commissioned as the second Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on January 29, 1824, due to the recommendation of Chief Coiner Adam Eckfeldt. During his tenure, he oversaw the introduction of the “close” collar die technology (1827–1831) and is the presumed designer of the Classic gold coinage (1834–1839).
Kneass suffered a stroke in late August 1835, which created paralysis on his right side. Due to this, he was unable to engrave dies and Mint Director Patterson immediately requested permission from Treasury Secretary Levi Woodbury to hire Christian Gobrecht. Kneass passed away while in office on August 27th, 1840.
Christian Gobrecht
2nd Engraver
1835 - 1840
Christian Gobrecht (1785 - 1844), was born in Hanover, PA. on December 23rd, 1785, to Reverend John C. Gobrecht, who came to America from Germany in 1755, and Elizabeth Sands, whose ancestry goes back to 1642, in the Plymouth Colony. After apprenticing in Manheim, Pennsylvania, Gobrecht engraved ornamental works for clocks in Baltimore, Maryland early in his career. He is well known for his invention of a medal-ruling machine in 1810, which he improved on in 1817. He moved to Philadelphia in 1811 and began engraving portrait plates and by 1816, was engraving bank note plates. He married Mary Hamilton Hewes on May 31, 1818.
As early as 1823, Gobrecht was doing work for the Mint and was paid for letter and figure punches in 1824. He was hired temporarily to work on dies after the death of Robert Scot and before the hiring of Kneass to replace Scot as Chief Engraver. During this time he also worked on various medal dies for organizations such as the Franklin Institute, which he engraved in 1825. When Kneass had a stroke in August 1835, Mint Director Patterson requested the emergency hiring of Gobrecht as a “Second” engraver as Kneass was unable to execute dies. He was hired on September 9th, 1835, as Second Engraver and was named Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint after Kneass’s death in 1840.
He was the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1840, until his death in 1844. Among pattern coins his contributions are at once important, beautiful, and extensive. Gobrecht prepared basic designs for the pattern fl,ying eagle dollar and engraved the Seated Liberty half dollar, quarter, dime, and half dime based on a design suggested by Mint Director Robert M. Patterson. These “Seated Liberty” designs were also later the direct inspiration for the design of the Trade Dollar and the 20 cent piece. Gobrecht died on July 23rd, 1844, and was succeeded as Chief Engraver by James B. Longacre.
As early as 1823, Gobrecht was doing work for the Mint and was paid for letter and figure punches in 1824. He was hired temporarily to work on dies after the death of Robert Scot and before the hiring of Kneass to replace Scot as Chief Engraver. During this time he also worked on various medal dies for organizations such as the Franklin Institute, which he engraved in 1825. When Kneass had a stroke in August 1835, Mint Director Patterson requested the emergency hiring of Gobrecht as a “Second” engraver as Kneass was unable to execute dies. He was hired on September 9th, 1835, as Second Engraver and was named Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint after Kneass’s death in 1840.
He was the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1840, until his death in 1844. Among pattern coins his contributions are at once important, beautiful, and extensive. Gobrecht prepared basic designs for the pattern fl,ying eagle dollar and engraved the Seated Liberty half dollar, quarter, dime, and half dime based on a design suggested by Mint Director Robert M. Patterson. These “Seated Liberty” designs were also later the direct inspiration for the design of the Trade Dollar and the 20 cent piece. Gobrecht died on July 23rd, 1844, and was succeeded as Chief Engraver by James B. Longacre.
Assistant Engravers
John Smith Gardner
Assistant Engraver
1794 - 1796
John Smith Gardner (17?? - 18??) There is very little information available concerning Gardner, either from his early life before working at the Mint or his later life after leaving it. Gardner was acting assistant engraver starting in November of 1794, however he was never fully commissioned.
Just how much engraving of the coinage dies was done by Gardner and what was done by Scot is up for debate, however it has been postulated by others that Gardner may have made several master dies. From the beginning, Gardner was paid various amounts per day from as low as $1.62 to $2.62 a day for his work as assistant engraver. He wrote to Director DeSaussure on August 11th, 1795, asking for a raise in pay to $3.00 per day. He would however, have to wait until Elias Boudinot became the new Mint Director for this to come to fruition. We think that Gardner resigned from the Mint on March 31st, 1796, as there is no record of payment to him for the second quarter. If he had left, he was evidently rehired for a short time on July 1st, but resigned again on August 26th, 1796, after 50 days work. There is no other record found of Gardner in connection with the Mint or in Philadelphia itself, after August 1796.
Just how much engraving of the coinage dies was done by Gardner and what was done by Scot is up for debate, however it has been postulated by others that Gardner may have made several master dies. From the beginning, Gardner was paid various amounts per day from as low as $1.62 to $2.62 a day for his work as assistant engraver. He wrote to Director DeSaussure on August 11th, 1795, asking for a raise in pay to $3.00 per day. He would however, have to wait until Elias Boudinot became the new Mint Director for this to come to fruition. We think that Gardner resigned from the Mint on March 31st, 1796, as there is no record of payment to him for the second quarter. If he had left, he was evidently rehired for a short time on July 1st, but resigned again on August 26th, 1796, after 50 days work. There is no other record found of Gardner in connection with the Mint or in Philadelphia itself, after August 1796.
John M. Reich
Assistant Engraver
1807 - 1817
Assistant Engraver
1807 - 1817
Johann (John) Matthäus Reich (1767 - 1832), was born in Fürth, Bavaria (located in present day Germany) in the late summer of 1767. As he grew up, Reich was presumably apprenticed under his father as a belt maker, then as an engraver. Reich was married to Margarita Schütheis on August 28th, 1791, and their first child was born a little over 4 months later, a daughter. In May of 1800, Reich left Hamburg aboard the ship "Anna" now indentured and bound for America, without his wife or child.
After arriving in Philadelphia on August 19, 1800, his indenture was bound to John Brown, a silversmith, on August 27th to serve for two years. He was released early from this indenture by Chief Coiner Henry Voigt and he and Voigt partnered to make an inauguration medal for Thomas Jefferson that was well received. As early as 1801, President Thomas Jefferson recommended hiring Reich as an engraver for the Mint after seeing this medal. By mid-1802, Reich was advertising as a “seal and die engraver” and shortly thereafter began engraving medals for various societies and lodges, advertising his engraving business in the Philadelphia directories from 1802, through 1807.
He was finally hired by the Mint on April 1st, 1807, and was soon given the task of creating new coinage designs across all denominations. After working for the Mint for ten years with no raise in pay, and possibly due to failing eyesight, Reich resigned and left the Mint in March 1817.
After leaving the Mint Reich went into a partnership supplying lead type, but eventually left Philadelphia, going to Pittsburgh. The last we hear from him is in a letter to the Mint Director asking for a job recommendation on March 30th, 1821, sent from Pittsburgh.
After arriving in Philadelphia on August 19, 1800, his indenture was bound to John Brown, a silversmith, on August 27th to serve for two years. He was released early from this indenture by Chief Coiner Henry Voigt and he and Voigt partnered to make an inauguration medal for Thomas Jefferson that was well received. As early as 1801, President Thomas Jefferson recommended hiring Reich as an engraver for the Mint after seeing this medal. By mid-1802, Reich was advertising as a “seal and die engraver” and shortly thereafter began engraving medals for various societies and lodges, advertising his engraving business in the Philadelphia directories from 1802, through 1807.
He was finally hired by the Mint on April 1st, 1807, and was soon given the task of creating new coinage designs across all denominations. After working for the Mint for ten years with no raise in pay, and possibly due to failing eyesight, Reich resigned and left the Mint in March 1817.
After leaving the Mint Reich went into a partnership supplying lead type, but eventually left Philadelphia, going to Pittsburgh. The last we hear from him is in a letter to the Mint Director asking for a job recommendation on March 30th, 1821, sent from Pittsburgh.