31 Facts About Adam Eckfeldt

John Adam Eckfeldt was an American worker and official during the first years of the United States Mint.

Adam Eckfeldt's father owned a large smithy and involved himself in early attempts at American coinage.

Adam Eckfeldt built early presses for the Mint, engraved some of its early dies, and was responsible for the designs of early American copper coinage, as well as the 1792 half disme which some authorities consider the first United States coin.

Adam Eckfeldt was appointed assistant coiner of the Mint in 1796, and became chief coiner on his predecessor's death in 1814.

Adam Eckfeldt served a quarter century as chief coiner, during which time the Philadelphia Mint moved to new premises.

Adam Eckfeldt was his father's apprentice, and became skilled in iron work and machinery.

Adam Eckfeldt built the first screw press for the new facility in 1792, the same year that the Mint Act of 1792 was passed by Congress authorizing a mint, and cut the obverse die for the experimental Birch cent of that year.

Adam Eckfeldt built other machinery for the Mint, and helped superintend the early coining.

In 1792, the Mint acquired three balances from Adam Eckfeldt, who lent the Mint his lathe.

Adam Eckfeldt is given as the source for the tradition that the half dismes were struck at the request of President George Washington to be used as presents.

Adam Eckfeldt produced a pattern disme, of which only a few were struck.

Adam Eckfeldt placed a wreath on the back of the cent instead of the original chain, and placed a trefoil under Liberty's head on the obverse.

Adam Eckfeldt engraved the first half cent dies later the same year.

In 1805, at Boudinot's request, Adam Eckfeldt eliminated a security problem for the Mint by renting two houses adjacent to its operations, allowing it to shut an internal alley to public access.

Adam Eckfeldt recalled in 1812 peering through a window to see cents coined, and Eckfeldt coming into the room to stop the work at the end of the day.

Sellers nearly dropped it because it was so hot, and Adam Eckfeldt reminded him it had been cold when placed in the press.

Adam Eckfeldt bade him keep the coin until he learned why the cent had become hot, and then he could spend it on candy.

Adam Eckfeldt served in that capacity for a quarter century.

Adam Eckfeldt put aside interesting foreign coins sent to the mint as bullion.

Adam Eckfeldt often spent from his own funds to acquire the coins for the Mint.

In 1828, Adam Eckfeldt again became involved in the real estate transactions to expand operations at the Philadelphia Mint.

Adam Eckfeldt was by no means deficient in inventive ability.

Adam Eckfeldt stated to Sellers, "If Mr Peale had full swing he would turn everything upside down".

In 1839, Adam Eckfeldt retired after 25 years as chief coiner and over forty as a Mint employee.

Adam Eckfeldt recommended Peale as his successor, and Peale was appointed.

Nevertheless, Adam Eckfeldt continued to perform the functions of chief coiner without pay until a few days before his death on February 6,1852.

Jacob's son Jacob Branch Adam Eckfeldt exceeded both forebears in time of service, working at the Mint for 64 years, from 1865 to 1929.

Adam Eckfeldt had a taste for horticulture and owned rural property in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, which was inherited by his two sons after his death.

Adam Eckfeldt was the first president of the Good Will Fire Company, holding that office for nearly all of his adult life, and designed a system of levers for use in fire engines.

Adam Eckfeldt was a man of large information on many subjects, possessed an inventive genius, and was enabled to introduce some excellent improvements in minting processes.

Adam Eckfeldt was singularly industrious and energetic, and for his social qualities and uprightness was universally respected, and, indeed, beloved by the officers associated with him and the extended circle of his acquaintance.