Robert Scot - 1793-1823
The first Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from its inception in 1793 until his death in 1823. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scot was trained first as a watchmaker, then learned the art of engraving. He came to the United States in 1778; in 1781 he was asked by Governor Thomas Jefferson of Virginia to engrave medals for presentation to Indian chiefs.

In 1793, Scot was appointed engraver of the United States Mint in Philadelphia, where he cut dies for a variety of cents and half cents. He designed the 1795–1797 $10 eagle, the 1797–1804 Heraldic Eagle, the 1794–1797 half cent, and the 1800–1808 draped bust type half cent. In addition, he designed the Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace Medal.

William Kneass - 1824-1840
Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 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. During his tenure, he oversaw the production of United States gold coinage (1834–1838) and circulating coinage (1836–1838). 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.

Christian Gobrecht - 1835-1844
The third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1835 until his death in 1844. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Gobrecht engraved ornamental works for clocks in Baltimore. Gobrecht prepared basic designs for the pattern flying eagle dollar and designed the half dollar, quarter dollar, 20-cent piece, dime, and half dime. 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.

James Barton Longacre - 1844-1869
Born in Delaware County, near Pennsylvania. Longacre was appointed the fourth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on September 6, 1844.

He designed the 1856–1858 Flying Eagle cent; 1859–1909 Indian Head cent; 1864 two-cent coin; 1849–1854 Liberty Head Type I, II, and III gold dollar; 1854–1886 three-dollar gold coins; and the 1849–1907 Liberty Head Double Eagle ($20 coin). His medallic work includes both sides of the Commander Duncan Nathaniel Ingraham medal, the Major General Zachary Taylor medal, and the 1869 Annual Assay Commission medal.

William Barber - 1869-1879
The fifth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1869 until his death. He succeeded James B. Longacre in the position.

Born in London. He employed three assistant engravers: William H. Key, George T. Morgan, and his son Charles who would become the sixth Chief Engraver of the Mint.

Mr. Barber designed two coins for circulation: the twenty-cent coin and the Trade Dollar. He produced at least 40 medals, including David Rittenhouse, Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz, Cyrus Field, President James Pollock, Joseph Pancoast, Dr. Henry Linderman, the Centennial medals, and the Valley Forge medal.

Mr. Barber designed additional medals for the Assay Commission. One of his most recognizable medals was the 100th Anniversary of America’s Independence. He served as Chief Mint Engraver until his death in 1879.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.

Charles Edward Barber - 1879-1917
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.

George T. Morgan - 1917-1925
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.

John R. (Ray) Sinnock - 1925-1947
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.

Gilroy Roberts - 1948-1964
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.

Frank Gasparro - 1965-1981
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.

Elizabeth Jones - 1981-1990
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.