Christian Gobrecht

Christian Gobrecht

Christian Gobrecht was the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. He served from 1840 until his death in 1844. Gobrecht was preceded by William Kneass, and succeeded by James Barton Longacre.

Gobrecht was born in Hanover, Pennsylvania on December 23, 1785. He died in Philadelphia on July 23, 1844. His father was Reverend John C. Gobrecht who emigrated from Germany in 1755. His mother, Elizabeth Sands’ ancestry can be traced by to 1642 in Plymouth Colony.

He was responsible for the “Seated Liberty” designs on United States coinage. The design for the Trade dollar was directly inspired by Gobrecht’s “Seated Liberty.” He also designed the Gobrecht Dollar, the Flying Eagle small cent, Liberty Head $2.5, $5, and $10 gold coins, as well as the Braided hair 1/2 cent and large cent.