William Kneass
Encyclopedia
William Kneass (September 25, 1781 – August 27, 1840) was the second Chief Engraver of the United States Mint
from 1824 until his death in 1840. Kneass designed the Classic Head motif which appeared on Quarter Eagle ($2.50) and Half Eagle ($5.00) gold pieces from 1834-1839. He also modified John Reich's Capped Bust design on the dime through half-dollar for the years 1829-1837. Additionally, Kneass utilized his modified Capped Bust for the rebirth of the half-dime in 1829.
. Kneass served in the War of 1812
as a volunteer associate of the field engineers, and helped construct fortifications on the western front of Philadelphia. He ran an engraving office on Fourth above Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, which was a popular meeting place for "leading wits and men of culture". Kneass also worked as an engraver of plates for bookwork. Although Kneass mainly worked in line engraving, he was also known for producing aquatint
s. Kneass also worked in two other engraving firms that bore his name: Kneass & Dellaker, and Young & Kneass & Co.
. During his tenure as Chief Engraver, Kneass oversaw production of gold coinage, and circulating coinage.
In 1830, Kneass redesigned the quarter
, and in 1834, redesigned the gold coinage. He also introduced a new Liberty head on the half dollar
, a design that was modified several times over the next two years. In 1835 Mint director Samuel Moore wrote of him: "Mr. Kneass, our present engraver ... is an acceptable, popular and very useful Officer, perhaps one of the most rapid in execution in the U. States. I do not know whether another could be found, whose celerity in his profession could have sufficed to furnish all the dies we have necessarily employed within the last five years."
On August 27, 1835, Kneass suffered a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side, when from then on, assistant engraver Christian Gobrecht
did all pattern and die work, until Kneass died in office on August 27, 1840. Kneass was succeeded by Gobrecht as Chief Engraver on December 21 of that year.
and architect
, based in Philadelphia. Another, Strickland Kneass was an engineer. Kneass was remembered as "a warm gentleman gentleman of the old-school, who had the rare quality of engaging and winning the esteem and affection of children and youth"
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...
from 1824 until his death in 1840. Kneass designed the Classic Head motif which appeared on Quarter Eagle ($2.50) and Half Eagle ($5.00) gold pieces from 1834-1839. He also modified John Reich's Capped Bust design on the dime through half-dollar for the years 1829-1837. Additionally, Kneass utilized his modified Capped Bust for the rebirth of the half-dime in 1829.
Early life and career
William Kneass was born in September 1781 in Lancaster, PennsylvaniaLancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
. Kneass served in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
as a volunteer associate of the field engineers, and helped construct fortifications on the western front of Philadelphia. He ran an engraving office on Fourth above Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, which was a popular meeting place for "leading wits and men of culture". Kneass also worked as an engraver of plates for bookwork. Although Kneass mainly worked in line engraving, he was also known for producing aquatint
Aquatint
Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique, a variant of etching.Intaglio printmaking makes marks on the matrix that are capable of holding ink. The inked plate is passed through a printing press together with a sheet of paper, resulting in a transfer of the ink to the paper...
s. Kneass also worked in two other engraving firms that bore his name: Kneass & Dellaker, and Young & Kneass & Co.
Chief engraver of the U.S. Mint
On January 29, 1824, Kneass was appointed Chief Engraver of the United States MintUnited 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...
. During his tenure as Chief Engraver, Kneass oversaw production of gold coinage, and circulating coinage.
In 1830, Kneass redesigned the quarter
Quarter (United States coin)
A quarter dollar, commonly shortened to quarter, is a coin worth ¼ of a United States dollar, or 25 cents. The quarter has been produced since 1796. The choice of 25¢ as a denomination, as opposed to 20¢ which is more common in other parts of the world, originated with the practice of dividing...
, and in 1834, redesigned the gold coinage. He also introduced a new Liberty head on the half dollar
Half dollar (United States coin)
Half dollar coins have been produced nearly every year since the inception of the United States Mint in 1794. Sometimes referred to as the fifty-cent piece, the only U.S. coin that has been minted more consistently is the cent.-Circulation:...
, a design that was modified several times over the next two years. In 1835 Mint director Samuel Moore wrote of him: "Mr. Kneass, our present engraver ... is an acceptable, popular and very useful Officer, perhaps one of the most rapid in execution in the U. States. I do not know whether another could be found, whose celerity in his profession could have sufficed to furnish all the dies we have necessarily employed within the last five years."
On August 27, 1835, Kneass suffered a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side, when from then on, assistant engraver Christian Gobrecht
Christian Gobrecht
Christian Gobrecht was the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1835 until his death in 1844. He was responsible for designing the famous "Seated Liberty" designs, which were in turn the direct inspiration for the design of the Trade Dollar...
did all pattern and die work, until Kneass died in office on August 27, 1840. Kneass was succeeded by Gobrecht as Chief Engraver on December 21 of that year.
Personal life and legacy
Kneass was married to Mary Turner Honeyman Kneass. One of their 6 children, Samuel Honeyman Kneass (1806–1858), was a notable civil engineerCivil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
and architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, based in Philadelphia. Another, Strickland Kneass was an engineer. Kneass was remembered as "a warm gentleman gentleman of the old-school, who had the rare quality of engaging and winning the esteem and affection of children and youth"