Miami Valley Coin Club

Someone Most Coin Collectors Are Familiar With

I was born in Philadelphia in 1909, just weeks after the release of the Lincoln Cent. My grandparents immigrated (legally I may add) from Italy. My father was a musician and was very disappointed that I didn’t want to follow in his footsteps. In fact, he routinely destroyed some of my early art efforts.

I graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1927 and attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. I also studied at the Fleisher Art Memorial and at various places around Europe.

In 1942, I was hired by the United States Mint as an assistant engraver and worked under John R. Sinnock, designer of the Roosevelt Dime and the Franklin Half Dollar. In February of 1965 I became the 10^th Chief Engraver of the United States.

Prior to that I am credited with the design of the Lincoln Memorial Cent reverse and the Kennedy Half Dollar reverse. After becoming the Chief Engraver I designed the Susan B. Anthony Dollar and the Eisenhower Dollar.

I liked to tell people I am a sculptor, and that they probably carried some of my art in their pockets. My name is Frank Gasparo.

Money Trivia: The Lincoln Cent, Memorial Reverse, is the first U.S. coin to have the same person pictured on both sides of a circulating coin; bust on the obverse, statue on the reverse.