From 1795 through 1807, a graceful head of Liberty, thought to have been designed by famed artist Gilbert Stuart, adorned our silver and copper coinage, but in the latter year, another Liberty head began to appear, this time by assistant mint engraver John Reich.
Born in Fürth, Bavaria – now part of Germany – in August 1767, he was the son of a distinguished engraver, Johann Christian Reich. The infant child was christened Johann Matthäus Reich, but after coming to America, he anglicized his name to the simpler John Reich.
The younger Reich grew up at his father’s side and learned his engraving skills at first hand. The two sometimes collaborated on medallic commissions, but most of the work signed “Reich” and produced in Bavaria was actually done by the…
