George T. Morgan

For other people named George Morgan, see George Morgan (disambiguation).

George T. Morgan
George T. Morgan
Chief Engraver of the United States Mint
In office 1917–1925
Preceded by	Charles E. Barber
Succeeded by	John R. Sinnock
Personal details
Born	(1845-11-24)November 24, 1845 Birmingham, England
Died	January 4, 1925(1925-01-04) (aged 79) Germantown, Philadelphia, U.S.
Children	3
Occupation	Engraver

George Thomas Morgan (November 24, 1845 – January 4, 1925) was a United States Mint engraver who is famous for designing many popular coins, such as the Morgan dollar, the reverse of the Columbian Exposition half dollar, and the reverse of the McKinley Birthplace Memorial gold dollar.

Biography

Morgan was born in Birmingham, England where he worked for many years as a die engraver. He came to the United States in 1876 and was hired as an assistant engraver at the Mint in October under William Barber. He figured very prominently in the production of pattern coins from 1877 onward, and designed several varieties of 1877 half dollars, the 1879 "Schoolgirl" dollar, and the 1882 "Shield Earring" coins. He became the seventh Chief Engraver of the United States Mint following the death of Charles E. Barber in February 1917.[1]

Morgan is most famous for designing the Morgan dollar,[2] one of many namesakes, as well as the never-released $100 Gold Union coin.

The Morgan silver dollar, designed in 1876, features an image of the Goddess of Liberty modeled by Anna Willess Williams

Morgan medal depicting Edward VII, c. 1875

A photograph of the Mint engravers. Morgan is seated in the front row, second from right.

Personal life

Morgan married Alice Louisa Pearce in 1874 and had three children, Beatrice, Leonard Pearce (1877-1961) and Phyllis (1884-?). He died on January 4, 1925, at his son-in-law's home in Germantown, Philadelphia.[3]

References

1. "Artist George T. Morgan". Biography. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
2. Forrer, L. (1909). "Morgan, George T.". Biographical Dictionary of Medallists. Vol. IV. London: Spink & Son Ltd. p. 148.
3. "George T. Morgan". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 6, 1925. p. 20. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.

• Gibbs, William T. (October 2012). "Morgan's half dollars". Coin World: 4–5, 14, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• Lee, Karen M. (2013). The Private Sketchbook of George T. Morgan. Atlanta, Ga.: hitman Publishing. ISBN 978-079483822-5.

External links

• Media related to George T. Morgan at Wikimedia Commons

Government offices
Preceded by Charles E. Barber	Chief Engraver of the United States Mint 1917–1925	Succeeded by John R. Sinnock