Chief Engraver Robert Scot new book and discussion

Nysoto

I began researching Robert Scot about 10 years ago, as there was little information about his past and conflicting opinions of his work. While digging into various government and private archives, I found much, much more about Scot than had been previously published, which led to the book. He engraved for American officers throughout the Revolution, including a detailed map of the Siege of Yorktown, which was the decisive battle of the American Revolution. His collaboration with Scottish immigrant publishers enabled a rapid expansion of illustrated scientific books in America. Scot was highly sought after because he was one of the few formally trained engravers in America at the time.

I believe Scot's prior engraving experiences before the US Mint did influence coinage designs (and have images of these). Scot also engraved federal revenue stamps and seals while at the Mint, and I have included images of actual surviving dies of eagles, which are similar to coinage dies.

If there are any questions or comments on Robert Scot, who was Chief Engraver of the US Mint from 1793 until his death in 1823, I would like to open it up for discussion.

The book has a complete listing of his known engravings (over 800), an extensive bibliography, and color images. The publisher is American History Press (price $24.95) American History Press Robert Scot Biography It has also been listed on Amazon Amazon - Robert Scot - Engraving Liberty

CoinCast

Just ordered mine! It looks like a great book, congrats on this amazing accomplishment! Thank you for a wonderful contribution to the hobby.

Nysoto

Thanks for the nice comments and the order!

Bill

BigMoose

Nysoto, thank you for writing this book. Just ordered one from Amazon. This book should be a great interest to anyone interested in Early American Coinage.

CuKevin

Very interesting subject. I will likely order a copy as well.

BillJones

This sounds like a very interesting book.

Some numismatic writers have disparaged the work of Robert Scot, but I have long admired the designs he created during the early years of his career at the first mint. I thought that they were quite attractive, most especially his Draped Bust and Capped Bust gold pieces. In later years his work did slip, and he probably stayed around long after his talents and from I'd read his eyesight were leaving him.

I am quite interested in this book and will look into ordering a copy.

LoveMyLiberty

Bill,

Just ordered your book. I look forward to reading your views of
such an interesting participant of our early mint. I feel biographical
information about these early players has been lacking.

I've always enjoyed your posts & comments to threads on these
Forums so I'm sure to appreciate your writings.

Bill

Mark

Thanks for the info. It's now on my "Buy soon" list.

Mark

slumlord98

I once had a negative image of Scot, likely stemming from the Jefferson note of 1807, and long had a notion that Reich saved the day at the Mint so old Scot could dawdle about while the new guy did all the work. Further, that someone else had to have taken over for Reich because Scot was definitely too infirm in 1817. Also, had anyone at the Mint beside Eckfeldt had a raise by then?

You previously mentioned that the reverse of the capped bust half dollar may not have been designed by Reich. Care to comment?

I'm checking my mail regularly...

Coinosaurus

This is a wonderful book. I read a pre-publication draft and really enjoyed it. It won't tell you what coin is going to increase in value, but if you want to more deeply understand the life of one engraver, this is the place to be.

Nysoto

Thanks everyone for the comments - and orders!.

Robert Scot is controversial with modern writers, but that was not the case with contemporary assessments of him, which I have quoted in the book. I have also included images for many of Scot's engravings that have not been published since the eighteenth century that will give a better indication of the degree of his talent, and to which areas he was proficient at, and average in others.

I agree with Bill that more biographies of Mint officers would allow us to better understand and enjoy the early history of the Mint.

Brad, I believe Finkelstein was the first to publish that Scot probably designed the Motto Over Eagle reverse with his JRJ article in December 2013 - I agree with him and have images of working dies that Scot engraved in 1798 that give additional evidence. Let me know what you think when you see the pictures of the dies. I would post images, but the rights are only for the book.

edit - part of the fun of researching and writing the book was the search for Robert Scot's original engravings. I have not bought a coin in five years, but have located and purchased a number of eighteenth century books and encyclopedias with Scot's copperplate line engravings, some of which are in the book. In one instance I bought a very rare Scot frontispiece, and then located the original copperplate that printed the image, probably the only copperplate for a book in existence that Scot engraved. I have both the copperplate and frontispiece printing on opposite pages in the book - very cool!

CoinCast

I just finished Chapter 1; it was very well written and interesting. I'm looking forward to reading more this week!

Nysoto

The book is available at the American History Press website and Amazon (first post has links). I also have some copies that I can sign for the same price - please PM if interested.

Nysoto

I will TTT one more time for the weekend, PM me for a signed copy. Thanks for the nice comments and for those who have purchased the biography of Robert Scot.