If you have ever seen an Indian head cent, you are looking at the work of the engraver James B. Longacre. He was the fourth person to hold the position of Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. He started out as a portrait artist and eventually because an engraver of portraits. During that time, before photography and modern printing developed, a portrait engraver would take a painting and make an engraving of it. Printers then used that engraving to print the portrait in books and other publications. One noted engraved portrait of Longacre’s was a famous rendition of Daniel Boone, sold widely during the 1830s.

In 1844, James B. Longacre became the Chief Engraver of the US Mint, after the death of the former engraver, Christian Gobrecht. He remained in that post until he died in 1869. Many of the historical coins of the United States came from his work such as the Liberty Double Eagle pictured below.

One of his most famous pieces was the Indian head cent. This penny was the standard design from 1859 through 1909. The face of the penny shows a Native American wearing a feathered headdress. Many of these pennies survive through today. Some years are rarer than others are. The 1877 is one of the most valuable. And the two years of minting in San Francisco, 1908-1909, are prizes to coin collectors.

Another famous design of James B. Longacre was the Liberty Head gold dollar coins. After the California gold rush, there was an emerging need for a gold dollar in American coinage. Longacre made a coin with the head of a stylized Liberty surrounded by 13 stars. The coin was extremely small however. It was just over ½ inch in diameter. Because of its small size, many people ended up losing them. In response, Longacre made the coin slightly bigger with a different Liberty head. Another redesign in 1856 was the final one. It remained in production until 1889.

James B. Longacre also designed the Flying Eagle penny, the 20-dollar gold piece, the 3-dollar gold piece, the Shield nickel, the 2-cent piece, and the 3-cent piece. The US Mint continued using Longacre’s designs until the last one ceased production in 1909, a full forty years after his death. His legacy continues in the world of coin collecting.

The US Mint routinely offers commemorative coins to remember certain people, events, place, and institutions of importance in American history. While they are legal tender, these coins are not for circulation. The sale of these coins often helps fund projects in historical restoration or giving access to historical places. The first period of these coins ran from 1892 through 1954, known as early commemorative coins. The modern era of coins began in 1982 and continues through today. Congress must authorize any coins issued by the mint, including the commemorative ones.

The first commemorative coin issued by the US Mint was the 1892 Columbian Exposition half-dollar. Through 1954, Congress authorized 157 coins to mark various occasions, individuals, or events. A problem began to emerge, however. Instead of concentrating on national historic events, many of these commemorative coins were in honor of local or state events. Congress was authorizing coins for cities or towns without a link to national history included. In 1939, Congress halted this practice. With only three exceptions between 1946 and 1954, these coins became history.

In 1982, the practice of authorizing commemorative coins came back into popularity with the 250th anniversary of the birth of George Washington. The mint has produced a limited number of coins each year ever since 1982. A good example is the Silver Dollar issued in 2009 on the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The first airplane flight of the Wright Brothers received recognition with three coins issued in 2003. Other events commemorated include the 500th anniversary of Columbus landing in America, the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, the 200th anniversary of the Constitution, and 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

The sale of commemorative coins helps fund many special projects. It helps build new museums. It helps keep up historic sites like Mt. Vernon and the Vietnam War Memorial. It helps fund training and other needs for Olympic athletes. Each new coin issued has something behind it receiving funding. For 2010, Congress authorized a coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Some of the profits of this coin go back to the Boy Scouts to help fund local programs all around the country. The 2009 coin commemorating Louis Braille helps fund the National Foundation of the Blind to help teach Braille to blind and sight impaired students. There are coins planned for future years already in the design process.