William Kneass

William Kneass (/ˈniːs/ "niece"; September 25, 1780 – August 27, 1840) was the second Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1824 until his death in 1840. Kneass is credited with designing the "Classic Head" motif, which appeared on numerous denominations of American currency, including the gold quarter eagle ($2.50) and half eagle ($5.00) gold pieces from 1834 to 1839. He also modified John Reich's "Capped Bust" design for use on the half dime through half-dollar from 1829 to 1837.

William Kneass
Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint
In office January 29, 1824 – August 27, 1840
President	John Quincy Adams Andrew Jackson Martin Van Buren
Preceded by	Robert Scot
Succeeded by	Christian Gobrecht
Personal details
Born	September 25, 1781 Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Died	August 27, 1840 (aged 59) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spouse(s)	Mary Turner Honeyman Kneass
Children	Samuel Honeyman Strickland Kneass 4 others
Occupation	engraver

Early life and career

William Kneass was born September 25, 1780 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[1][2] He served in the War of 1812 as a volunteer associate of the field engineers, and helped construct fortifications on the western front of Philadelphia.[2] He ran an engraving office on Fourth above Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, which was a popular meeting place for "leading wits and men of culture". Kneass also worked as an engraver of plates for bookwork.[2] Although he mainly worked in line engraving, he was also known for producing aquatints.[3] He also worked in two other engraving firms that bore his name: Kneass & Dellaker, and Young & Kneass & Co.

Chief engraver of the U.S. Mint

On January 29, 1824, Kneass was appointed Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. During his tenure as Chief Engraver, he oversaw production of gold coinage, and circulating coinage.[1][4]

In 1830, Kneass redesigned the quarter, and in 1834, redesigned the gold coinage. He also introduced a new Liberty head on the half dollar, a design that was modified several times over the next two years. In 1835 Mint director Samuel Moore wrote of him: "Mr. Kneass, our present engraver ... is an acceptable, popular and very useful Officer, perhaps one of the most rapid in execution in the U. States. I do not know whether another could be found, whose celerity in his profession could have sufficed to furnish all the dies we have necessarily employed within the last five years."[5]

On August 27, 1835, Kneass suffered a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side.[6] Once second engraver Christian Gobrecht was hired, he did most pattern and die work until Kneass died in office on August 27, 1840.[1][7] Kneass was succeeded by Gobrecht as Chief Engraver on December 21 of that year.

Personal life and legacy

Kneass was married to Mary Turner Honeyman Kneass.[1] One of their 6[2] children, Samuel Honeyman Kneass (1806–1858),[8] was a notable civil engineer and architect, based in Philadelphia.[4] Another, Strickland Kneass (1821–1884), was an engineer.[2]

Kneass was remembered as "a warm gentleman of the old-school, who had the rare quality of engaging and winning the esteem and affection of children and youth"[2]

References

1. Magee, Anna J. (1920). Memorials of the Kneass Family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Vol. VII ed.). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Publications of the Genealogical Society of Philadelphia. p. 109. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
2. "William Kneass". uspatterns.com. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
3. "KNEASS, William". donheald.com. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
4. CoinLink. "Chief Engravers of the United States Mint". coinlink.com. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
5. Taxay, p. 170
6. "Early Mint Personnel". earlyusquarters.com. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
7. "Christian Gobrecht". uspatterns.com. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
8. "Kneass, Samuel Honeyman (1806–1858)". philadelphiabuildings.org. Retrieved 12 August 2010.

Bibliography

• Taxay, Don (1983). The U.S. Mint and Coinage (reprint of 1966 ed.). New York, N.Y.: Sanford J. Durst Numismatic Publications. ISBN 0-915262-68-1.

External links

• William Kneass at Find a Grave