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Gilroy Roberts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gilroy Roberts
9th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint
In office
1948–1964
Preceded byJohn R. Sinnock
Succeeded byFrank Gasparro
Personal details
Born(1905-03-11)March 11, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJanuary 26, 1992(1992-01-26) (aged 86)
Havertown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
ProfessionSculptor
A half dollar obverse

Gilroy Roberts (March 11, 1905 – January 26, 1992)[1] was an American sculptor. He served as the ninth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1948 until 1964.

Career

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Roberts is perhaps most famous for designing the obverse of the Kennedy Half Dollar. At the Philadelphia Mint he was designing and engraving coins, and presidential and congressional medals.[2] After being hired in 1936, Roberts worked as an understudy to John R. Sinnock. During his career, he engraved medals for Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson.[3]

Roberts retired from the U.S. Mint in 1964 to join The Franklin Mint, a private foundation that was established in the same year. He is the first Chief Engraver to retire from the position, as each of his predecessors held the position until their deaths.

Roberts appeared as himself on the April 20, 1964 episode of the CBS gameshow To Tell The Truth.[4]

Personal life

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Roberts married Lillian Sharpless Pancoast in 1927, and they had a son.[3]

Government offices
Preceded by Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint
1948–1964
Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ "Gilroy Roberts". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Gilroy Roberts Gallery". Community College of Philadelphia. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b Bowers, Q. David. "REMEMBERING CHIEF ENGRAVER GILROY ROBERTS". stacksbowers.com. Stack’s Bowers Numismatics, LLC. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  4. ^ "To Tell the Truth". YouTube. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2024.