Custom coin, medal designs and medallic art by Tom Rogers, former U.S. Mint Sculptor / Engraver
I was contacted by a U.S. Mint representative to do some supplemental designs for an upcoming coin and some Congressional medals. My design for the 2016 Native American $1 coin’s reverse was selected.
I also designed and sculpted the original soaring eagle on the first Sacagawea Golden Dollar in 2000, which was used through 2008, when they changed to Native American Indian reverses. The obverse of the coin will again feature the portrait of Sacagawea and son done by Glenna Goodacre.
Pictured here are some of my favorite Americana medals that I created.
Pictured here are some of my favorite Portrait medals and coins that I created.
Pictured here are some of my favorite Corporate and Organizational medals that I created.
In 1990, the American Numismatic Association announced a national competition to design it’s 100th Anniversary Medal. I was fortunate enough to have been selected for the Obverse of this prestigious medal, pictured here. No words were needed for this design.
The action portrayed in the art speaks to the history of the ANA. A Centurion, armed only with the enlightenment of knowledge, opens the portal of darkness, and ascends the steps into the future.
I have been a member of the ANA continuously since 1990. I participated in many Numismatic Theatre presentations during and after my tenure as a Sculptor / Engraver at the U.S. Mint. I have been honored with several ANA awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Medallic Art in 2000.
At the ANA’s Summer Seminar in 2010, I had the pleasure of teaching a course in plasteline modelling and plaster casting. I had a small, but very industrious class, and found the experience very rewarding. With the rush to let technology take over all the aspects of the art processes, someone has to remain loyal to their field, and disseminate the knowledge to others.
Clifford Mishler, ANA President, scholar of the road, and friend of mine.
Clifford uses this portrait medal as a business card, and is definetly into eclectic pursuits.
Pictured here is the reverse of the United States Mint Bicentennial Medal.
My first assignment as a Sculptor / Engraver at the Mint was to re-arrange the elements of the Mint’s internal competition winning entry.
When it was approved, I proceeded to carve backwards in the plaster negative, the entire fifteen coins on its face.
It was sort of a “Trial by Fire” for me, and an introduction of my style of work to the management at the U.S. Mint.
Pictured here is the portrait I created for Bill Clinton’s first U.S. Mint Inaugural Medal.
One of the most enjoyable Congressional Medals that I was selected to create was the double portrait of President Gerald and Betty Ford.
This was one of the special higher relief medals that I modelled the portraits in plasteline. When the model was close to being done, I flew to Colorado, rented a car, and drove to the Ford’s house in Vail.
I was warmly received by the Fords, and we worked for several hours, refining the portraits, and taking several close-up photos for reference.
They were very gracious, and consented to have a photograph taken with me. The next, and last time I saw them was at the medal ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. Up until the ceremony, President Ford had seen only an antique bronze version of the medal…When he was presented his personal medal, and I asked him how he liked it he said “Hey, I look even better in gold!”
***Coins not shown in actual size
Pictured here are the four United States Circulating Coins that I was fortunate to have designed and sculpted as a Sculptor / Engraver at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, PA. These were all produced in 2000.
All but one of the Quarter Dollars were designed in conjunction with the various state committees. The South Carolina committee had sent very few concepts, and they didn’t transfer well as medallic topics. So I asked if I could submit an additional design with the Carolina wren,Carolina Jessamine, Palmetto, and an outline of the state. That is the design they chose.
The “Golden Dollar” was an open design competition that drew 123 entries. I had one design favored by the Treasury Department, and another design favored by the Fine Arts Commission. I was asked by the Secretary of the Treasury, Robert Rubin to provide several variations of the originally favored design, and the one that was issued in 2000 is the one he chose.
My family and I attended the unveiling of the Golden Dollar designs at the Whitehouse on May 4, 1999, where we were greeted in the Diplomatic room by Hillary Clinton. Glenna Goodacre, who designed and sculpted the portrait of Sacagawea and Baptiste on the Obverse of the Golden Dollar, was also in attendance with her family.
This was a real highlight of my career, as I believe it was an honor and a privelege to have held the position of a U.S. Mint Sculptor / Engraver, and had the opportunity to create historical Comemmorative Coins, Medals, Circulating and Bullion Coins.
In 2006, I was commissioned by the Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, to re-design the medal that is presented to their new inductees each year.
It is only natural that Thomas Edison’s portrait appears on the Obverse, as he was the United State’s most prolific inventor. Abraham Lincoln, whose portrait and quote shares the medal, was also an inventor, and a strong proponent of the patent system. He invented a flotation device to aid grounded ships.
Shown here is the original plaster model used in the striking of the high relief 3″ medals. The finished medal with ribbon is shown on my ‘HOME” page.
I was honored to have designed and sculpted this prestigious medal, as I believe our nation’s inventors are true heroes…many working for large corporations, and never credited for their accomplishments.”
If you ever get the chance, please visit the Inventors Hall of Fame…I’m sure you will be in awe, and amazed, as I was!