The Jefferson Dollar Honors a Polymath!

n(Experience + Knowledge) = Polymath

If it makes you feel better, I had to look it up, too.

A polymath is a person of great and varied learning; knowledgeable in many subjects.

To illustrate… if Benjamin Franklin had ever become president, we could say that two polymaths had occupied the White House.

Had mint designers put forth Presidential Dollar designs bearing specific references to the accomplishments of each president, the Jefferson Dollar would be a cluttered and confusing morass of layered detail.

What did he know, and how did he know it?

Like Adams, Jefferson brought a wealth of experience to his presidency. He had been a legislator in colonial Virginia, and its governor during the Revolution.

Jefferson had extensive knowledge of foreign affairs as the US Ambassador to the French court.

He was a brilliant writer, acknowledged by John Adams as “ten times better” a writer than himself. It is fitting that the Declaration of Independence, though championed by both Adams and Jefferson, was actually written by Thomas Jefferson.

Jefferson’s interest in science, architecture, horticulture, and archaeology are well documented. A visit to his home in Virginia, Monticello, underscores his accomplishments as an inventor.

So, is there a Valuable Coin Story here?

Several.

For one, Jefferson has been represented on several other US coins, including the long running Jefferson Nickel first struck in 1938.

And more recently, Jefferson’s image appears on the front side of the Westward Journey nickels.

These coins honor the explorations of Lewis and Clark, which occurred during his presidency, and which he avidly supported.

They include the Peace Medal Nickel, Keelboat Nickel, American Bison Nickel, Ocean In View Nickel, and the Return To Monticello Nickel.

Coinage related legislation?

As during the Adams administration, During Jefferson’s presidency laws were passed allowing the mint to remain in Philadelphia for five more years, and the legality of foreign gold and silver coins was extended.

A law requiring sentences of three to ten years hard labor for the crime of counterfeiting was passed. (This was more lenient than the admonishment seen on colonial currency of the Revolution – ‘Tis Death to Counterfeit.)

And, Robert Patterson was appointed the fourth director of the mint.




2007 Presidential $1 Coin image from the United States Mint.