Adam Eckfeldt (June 15, 1769 – February 6, 1852) was the second chief coiner of the United States Mint. His father owned a large smithy and involved himself in early attempts at American coinage. Eckfeldt built early presses for the Mint, engraved some of its early dies, and was responsible for some designs of early American copper pieces, as well as the 1792 half disme, which some authorities consider the first United States coin. He was appointed assistant coiner of the Mint in 1796, and became chief coiner after his predecessor's death in 1814. During Eckfeldt's tenure, the Philadelphia Mint moved to new premises and expanded its operations. Setting aside unusual coins that were brought in as bullion, he started the Mint's coin cabinet, which evolved into the National Numismatic Collection. Despite his 1839 retirement, Eckfeldt continued performing the duties of chief coiner until his death, though his successor, Franklin Peale, bore the title.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Eckfeldt

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1878:

Eadweard Muybridge took a series of photographs to prove that all four feet of a horse leave the ground when it gallops (animation pictured), which became the basis of motion pictures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sallie_Gardner_at_a_Gallop

1919:

After nearly 16 hours in the air, the Vickers Vimy flown by John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown crash-landed in County Galway, Ireland, completing the first non-stop transatlantic flight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_flight_of_Alcock_and_Brown

1944:

In the Saskatchewan general election, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation led by Tommy Douglas won enough seats in the Legislative Assembly to form the first socialist government in North America. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Douglas

1996:

The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a truck bomb in the commercial centre of Manchester, England, injuring more than 200 people and causing widespread damage to buildings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Manchester_bombing

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

lion's share: (idiomatic) The majority; a large or generous portion. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lion%27s_share

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

There is nothing like an odor to stir memories.   --William McFee https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_McFee