Elizabeth Jones
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Jones was the eleventh Chief Engraver of the United States Mint
, holding this position from 1981 until her resignation in 1991. After her resignation, the post of Chief Engraver was left vacant for 15 years until John Mercanti
was appointed to the post.
Jones was just 46 when President Ronald Reagan
appointed her as Chief Engraver, making her the first woman to hold this post. Although relatively young by chief engraver standards, by this time she had already built an impressive reputation as one of the leading medallists in the world. Her talent and distinctive style, which she describes as "mildly abstract," had earned her a lengthy series of commissions from such prestigious clients as The Franklin Mint
, Medallic Art Company and the Judaic Heritage Society. When Frank Gasparro
retired in 1981 after 16 years as chief engraver, friends in the art world and in Washington, D.C.
, urged her to apply. She did, and soon had a new job.
Jones was the designer of the 1983 Los Angeles Olympic one dollar coin, obverse. This was the XXIII Olympiad. Ms. Jones design incorporated the traditional discus thrower of conjoined outlines in three layers as if in stroboscopic motion.
Elizabeth Jones was a 1953 graduate of the Montclair Kimberley Academy
(formerly the Kimberley School until 1974) and received their 1985 Distinguished Alumni Award.
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
, holding this position from 1981 until her resignation in 1991. After her resignation, the post of Chief Engraver was left vacant for 15 years until John Mercanti
John Mercanti
John M. Mercanti is an American sculptor and engraver. He was the twelfth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint until his retirement in late 2010.-Biography:...
was appointed to the post.
Jones was just 46 when President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
appointed her as Chief Engraver, making her the first woman to hold this post. Although relatively young by chief engraver standards, by this time she had already built an impressive reputation as one of the leading medallists in the world. Her talent and distinctive style, which she describes as "mildly abstract," had earned her a lengthy series of commissions from such prestigious clients as The Franklin Mint
Franklin Mint
The Franklin Mint is a private corporation founded by Joseph Segel in 1964. The private mint operated from Wawa, Pennsylvania but that operation has now closed...
, Medallic Art Company and the Judaic Heritage Society. When Frank Gasparro
Frank Gasparro
Frank Gasparro was the tenth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, holding this position from February 23, 1965 to January 16, 1981. Before that, he was Assistant Engraver. He designed both sides of the Susan B...
retired in 1981 after 16 years as chief engraver, friends in the art world and in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, urged her to apply. She did, and soon had a new job.
Jones was the designer of the 1983 Los Angeles Olympic one dollar coin, obverse. This was the XXIII Olympiad. Ms. Jones design incorporated the traditional discus thrower of conjoined outlines in three layers as if in stroboscopic motion.
Elizabeth Jones was a 1953 graduate of the Montclair Kimberley Academy
Montclair Kimberley Academy
Montclair Kimberley Academy, abbreviated "MKA", is a private coeducational day school located in Montclair, New Jersey, serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Thomas W. Nammack became the school's fourth Headmaster in July 2005...
(formerly the Kimberley School until 1974) and received their 1985 Distinguished Alumni Award.