George Thomas Morgan
George Thomas Morgan (November 24, 1845 – January 4, 1925) was a United States Mint engraver who is famous for designing many popular coins, such as the Morgan dollar, the reverse of the Columbian Exposition half dollar, and the reverse of the McKinley Birthplace Memorial gold dollar.
Also recorded as George Thomas Morgan (1845-1925) · George T. Morgan
George Thomas Morgan
U.S. Mint · Philadelphia Mint. A slightly cropped version of this image appears on page 135 of David Lange's book History of the United States Mint and Its Coinage. The credit, on page 190 is to "Denver Mint, U. · Public domain
- Name
- George T.
- Born
- 24 November 1845
- Birthplace
- Bilston, England
- Died
- 4 January 1925
- Place of death
- Germantown, Philadelphia, U.S.
- Nationality
- United States
- Occupation
- engraver · medalist · designer
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Documentary summary
George Thomas Morgan (November 24, 1845 – January 4, 1925) was a United States Mint engraver who is famous for designing many popular coins, such as the Morgan dollar, the reverse of the Columbian Exposition half dollar, and the reverse of the McKinley Birthplace Memorial gold dollar.
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wikidata · Q5545045
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — George T. Morgan • Office — Chief Engraver of the United States Mint • Predecessor — Charles E. Barber • Successor — John R. Sinnock • Term Start — 1917 • Term End — 1925 • Born — 24 November 1845 • Birthplace — Bilston, England • Died — 4 January 1925 • Place of death — Germantown, Philadelphia, U.S. • Children — 3 • Occupation — Engraver George Thomas Morgan (November 24, 1845 – January 4, 1925) was a United States Mint engraver who is famous for designing many popular coins, such as the Morgan dollar, the reverse of the Columbian Exposition half dollar, and the reverse of the McKinley Birthplace Memorial gold dollar.
Early life
Early life
Morgan was born in Bilston, England, and educated at an art school in the neighboring city of Birmingham, before winning a scholarship to study at the National Art Training School. After his education, he took up employment under John Pinches, where he worked between 1873-1875, as a die engraver.
Career
Career
He came to the United States in 1876 and was hired as an assistant engraver at the Mint in October under William Barber. He figured very prominently in the production of pattern coins from 1877 onward, and designed several varieties of 1877 half dollars, the 1879 Schoolgirl dollar, and the 1882 "Shield Earring" coins. He became the seventh Chief Engraver of the United States Mint following the death of Charles E. Barber in February 1917. Morgan is most famous for designing the Morgan dollar, one of many namesakes, as well as the never-released $100 Gold Union coin. • Illustration — The Morgan silver dollar, designed in 1876, features an image of the Goddess of Liberty modeled by Anna Willess Williams • Illustration — Morgan medal depicting Edward VII, c. 1875 • Illustration — A photograph of the Mint engravers. Morgan is seated in the front row, second from right.
Personal life
Personal life
Morgan married Alice Louisa Pearce in 1874 and had three children, Beatrice, Leonard Pearce (1877-1961) and Phyllis (1884-?). He died on January 4, 1925, at his son-in-law's home in Germantown, Philadelphia.

George T Morgan in an official portrait from the US Mint working on an engraving
Alexbikesphilly
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1845
George Thomas Morgan born at Birmingham.
1925
George Thomas Morgan died at United States.
Primary material
Context
The circumstances in which George Thomas Morgan stands.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.George T. Morgan - Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951. www.sculpture.gla.ac.uk.
- 2.Smithsonian American Art Museum. Artist George T. Morgan. Biography.
- 3.Forrer, L. Biographical Dictionary of Medallists. Spink & Son Ltd. IV. 148. 1909.
- 4.George T. Morgan. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 20. 1925-01-06.
References
Citations
References
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Institutional database
Wikidata, structured authority record Q5545045: George Thomas MorganWikimedia Foundation
Institutional witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Prints
4,138 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- George Samuel MeasomEngraver
- George StraffordEngraver
- George StubbsEngraver
- George SugarmanEngraver
- George VertueEngraver
- George W. EveEngraver
- George WhiteEngraver
- Georges BraqueEngraver
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