The last two installments of this column have recounted the story of engraver Johann Christian Reich’s arrival in Philadelphia and his attempts to find a position with the United States Mint. By early 1807, Reich had been engraving medal dies for the mint for over five years; however, regular employment eluded him. To supplement his income, Reich partnered with Philadelphia silhouette artist Joseph Sansom to produce and market a series of medals celebrating George Washington and Benjamin Franklin’s accomplishments.
Petition for Employment
In late February 1807, Sansom sent the second medal he and Reich produced to Thomas Jefferson, along with a letter asking the president to find Reich employment at the mint:
May I be permitted to take this occasion to recommend this deserving Artist to thy patronage and protection—He has now been six years resident in the United States with so little past employment, or hope of future employ, that he dreads a necessity of returning to his own country, from inability to support himself in this. Would it not be a matter of regret that such rare abilities should be lost to America, when there is an actual vacancy in the Mint; which it may be difficult upon a probable emergency to fill up? I mean that of Assistant Engraver. The principal Engraver is old, and infirm, to say nothing of comparative skill, in which the credit of the Establishment may be materially interested. The Director of the Mint has no objection, if such should be the Presidents’ pleasure, and Reich offers to do extra work for the United States, such as Medals &c. at one half his private price, in consideration of the easy footing upon which permanent employ would place him.
On March 13, Jefferson responded with a note complimenting Reich’s work and concluded by saying that “any report which the Director of the Mint shall make stating that the services of Mr. Reich are wanting for that institution, shall meet all the respect from Th:J. which he feels for whatever comes from Mr. Patterson.”
As if by magic, a report from Mint Director Robert M. Patterson arrived 12 days later. In it, Patterson related,
Our present Engraver, Mr. Scott [sic], though indeed a meritorious and faithful officer, is yet so far advanced in life, being I believe upwards of seventy, that he cannot be expected very long to continue his labours;—and in the event of his sickness or death, the business of mint would probably be stopped for some time: since few, if any one, could be found qualified to supply his place, except Mr. Reich, an artist with whom talents I presume, you are not unacquainted […].
He is willing for the present to accept of the moderate compensation of six hundred dollars per annum; and if this gentleman should be employed, perhaps more than his salary would be saved to the publick, in what is usually expended on the engraving of dies for medals; but which might then be executed by an artist in their own service, with little or no additional expence [sic].
Jefferson, who had been receiving complaints about Engraver Robert Scot’s advanced age and engraving skills since at least December 1804, responded to Patterson that “you are so exclusively competent to decide on the want of such an officer, that I approve the proposition on the faith of your opinion.”
Success at Last
Within a week, Reich was installed as U.S. Mint assistant engraver with a $600 annual salary. On April 3, 1807, Patterson reported to Jefferson that “Mr. Reich is now preparing a set of new dies, in which some improvements in the devices will be introduced (adhering, however, strictly to the letter of the law) which it is hoped will meet with public approbation.” These dies—used to strike the Capped Bust half dollars and half eagles (gold $5) of 1807—would usher in a new era at the United States Mint.
A version of this article appears in the April 2025 issue of The Numismatist (money.org).