James B. Longacre (August 11, 1794 – January 1, 1869) was the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint (1844–1869). He was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, becoming an apprentice in an engraving firm. He portrayed some of the leading men of his day in illustrations; support from some, such as John C. Calhoun, led to his federal appointment. In Longacre's first years, the Philadelphia Mint was dominated by Director Robert M. Patterson and Chief Coiner Franklin Peale, who resented Longacre's appointment. Peale and Patterson nearly got Longacre fired, but the chief engraver convinced Treasury Secretary William M. Meredith that he should be retained. In 1856, Longacre designed the Flying Eagle cent, but the coin proved difficult to strike, leading to the Indian Head cent three years later. He died in 1869, succeeded by William Barber. Longacre's coins are generally well- regarded today, though sometimes criticized for lack of artistic advancement.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B._Longacre

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1492:

The first papal conclave held in the Sistine Chapel elected Roderic Borja as Pope Alexander VI to succeed Pope Innocent VIII. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_conclave,_1492

1952:

King Talal of Jordan was forced to abdicate due to health reasons and was succeeded by his eldest son Hussein. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussein_of_Jordan

1973:

At a party in the recreation room of a New York City apartment building, DJ Kool Herc began rapping during an extended break, laying the foundation for hip-hop music. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Kool_Herc

2012:

At least 306 people were killed and 3,000 others injured in a pair of earthquakes near Tabriz, Iran. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_East_Azerbaijan_earthquakes

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

whip-smart: (Canada, US, informal) Very intelligent. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/whip-smart

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The very serpents bite their tails; the bees forget to sting, For a language so celestial setteth up a wondering. And the touch of absent mindedness is more than any line, Since direction counts for nothing when the gods set up a sign.   --Nathalia Crane https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nathalia_Crane