Category Archives: Baltimore Expo

John Mercanti Describes Transition to Digital Age

John Mercanti autographs copies of his book, “American Silver Eagles.”

John Mercanti, former chief engraver of the U.S. Mint and the man responsible for more coin and medal designs than anyone else in the Mint’s history, took Whitman Expo attendees behind the scenes in the Mint’s transition from traditional hand-sculpting and engraving techniques to the digital age.

Mr. Mercanti, author of American Silver Eagles: A Guide to the U.S. Bullion Coin Program, recounted his long and storied designing our nation’s coinage–from his days as an illustrator in the 1970’s, through his tenure as the twelfth Chief Engraver, ending with his retirement in 2010.

Along the way, Mr. Mercanti witnessed a transition from a time when the Mint turned out a relatively small number of coin designs each year, to the much more ambitious schedule of recent years.

 

A Conversation With John Mercanti

The man who has produced more coin and medal designs than anyone in the history of the U.S. Mint will make a presentation at 1pm today in the Charles Street VIP Suite.

Former Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, John Mercanti,  will share a behind-the-scenes look at the Mint, as he describes how the American Silver Eagle moved our nation’s coinage from traditional engraving into the new digital age.

Mr. Mercanti first joined the Mint in 1974, became its twelfth Chief Engraver in 2006 and retired from the position in 2010.

Other Expo highlights today include “Collecting State Copper Coinage of 1785-1788,” with Ray Williams in Room 301, and a Special Exhibit of War of 1812 Medals in Hall C.