The Five Most Famous U.S. Coin Designers

After the intended first Chief Engraver, Joseph Wright lost his life to Yellow Fever, George Washington appointed Robert Scot to replace him.

Scot’s early designs include the Flowing Hair silver dollar and the Liberty Cap half-cent. In 1795 Scot created the designs for the first gold coin of the U.S. Mint, with one design featuring a drapery for Lady Liberty. This design was then continued later on with the Draped Bust silver half dollar. In 1796, Robert Scot introduced the Heraldic Eagle reverse, which notably was a modification of The Great Seal of the United States. Today, the Heraldic Eagle still appears on many coins, ensuring Scot’s legacy lives on.

Christian Gobrecht

Christian Gobrecht was born in 1785 in Hanover, PA. As a young man, he apprenticed with a watchmaker and learned engraving. By 1811, Gobrecht was living in Philadelphia engraving bank notes and dies. Initially, his role was as an engraver at the U.S. Mint and eventually, he became the third Chief Engraver. He held the latter position from 1840 until 1844.

Gobrecht had a profound impact on early coinage in the United States. In 1836, Gobrecht designed his most famous work, the 1836 Flying Eagle Dollar. Today, collectors call this the Gobrecht dollar, and it is considered the basis for most of the Liberty Seated coinage that was created over the next 55 years. From half-cent copper coins to $10 gold pieces, Gobrecht’s designs were featured on nearly every denomination of coinage.

Charles E. Barber

Charles E. Barber, born in 1840, served as the sixth Chief Engraver of the United States, from 1879 until his passing in 1917. Barber had a long and prolific career as a coin designer. His best-known coin designs are the Liberty Head coins — Barber dime, Barber quarter, and Barber half dollar, as well as the “V” Liberty Head nickel.

Barber also designed the infamous $4 Stella “Flowing Hair” piece. In 1879, Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to produce a small test run of $4 gold coins so that Congressmen could review them and consider a proposal for a coin that could be used in international trade. Barber created a design that featured a portrait of Liberty facing left with long, flowing hair on the obverse, known today as the Flowing Hair type.

While the quest for an international coin failed and none of these pattern coins ever became a regular issue, collectors then and for generations have coveted these illustrious coins. After the limited run was produced, rumors surrounded the Stellas. While it was said that no coin collector could obtain a Stella from the U.S. Mint, the Congressman who had received the special order apparently used them as gifts and perhaps even payment. It was said that these great works of numismatic art were seen in special necklaces adorning the bosoms of Washington’s top madams, whose brothels were said to be patronized by those same congressmen.

George T. Morgan