U.S. Coin Designer Series: Hermon A. MacNeil

One of the most decorated coins in United States history is one no longer in circulation. Despite its relatively short life, its impact has managed to last decades later. However, the artist responsible for the design (which is the biggest reason the coin was and is successful) had an even more flourishing career outside of his work for the United States Mint. From Europe to the states, his work garnered recognition from all over the world and continues to be displayed and featured today.

Hermon A. MacNeil

Born in Massachusetts in February of 1866, Hermon A. MacNeil was raised on his parent’s farm and eventually would begin his education in the arts at the Normal Art School in Boston. He would graduate and go on to Cornell University at age 20 to further his talents in art and sculpting while also working as an instructor of industrial art and modeling. After spending time there between 1886 and 1888, he would move to Paris, France, to further his studies at Ecole des Beaus-Arts and the Julien Academy.

Studying under both Henri M. Chapu and Alexandre Falguiere, MacNeil stayed in Paris until 1891. He would return to the United States where he would work on architectural sculptures alongside Frederick MacMonnies. Those sculptures would end up being displayed at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. After visiting for the first time, MacNeil would end up moving to Chicago and start teaching at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Eventually opening up his own studio, Hermon would invite artist Charles F. Browne to work there with him. A lot of his early works included Native American depictions as he became highly interested in both their life and rituals. He became so involved in their culture that he ended up traveling to the southwest frontier to visit the four corner territories where they met the Navajo, Moqui and Hopu Indian tribes. After developing relationships with the tribes, he would be asked to design and create a sculpture depicting Navajo Chief Maneulito who died in prison four years after being captured as a renegade of the United States. Made with materials native to the land, the completed work became a piece of cultural pride and now is displayed in Gallup, New Mexico. This work would boost his career and further his recognition.

In 1895, MacNeil would marry Carol Louise Brooks, a fellow artist and sculptor. They would travel to Rome and live there for three years until they moved to Paris in 1899. In Rome, MacNeil produced more statues of Native American from the Hopi tribe. “The Moqui Runner - Return of the Snakes” and “The Sun Vow” ended up being some of his most famous works in his career. After moving to Paris, the young married couple would continue to study the arts. They would also end up having a son, Claude MacNeil.

MacNeil’s family would return to the states at the turn of the 21st century. His fame and recognition in Europe would make him a big name in America as well, eventually opening up another studio in New York City. There is where he would spend the majority of his career, settling down and working on commission and private sales. One of the first works to come from this new studio would be the Pan-American Exposition Medal of 1901. He would also create works for the Pan-American exposition in Buffalo and the Charleston Exposition in 1902. More of his works would be displayed at various expositions in the following years, including the famous Pan-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco in 1915.

While the United States Mint was pushing for coin redesign, MacNeil would produce and submit a design for the new quarter. This would turn out to be one of his most famous works. Alongside the designs of Adolph A. Weinman (who would be selected for the new dime and half dollar), MacNeil’s Standing Liberty quarter would feature Liberty holding a shield and an olive branch on the obverse. The reverse depictured an eagle in flight with stars lining the outer edge. The coins would be produced in 1916 and continue on through 1930 when production was suspended due to the Great Depression. This would be the first and only coin MacNeil would produce for the United States Mint.

After the Standing Liberty quarter, Hermon MacNeil would continue creating in different forms, including architectural work on the United States Supreme Court building. It features Moses and other figures on the Eastern side of the building. He also contributed to figures featured at the Connecticut and Missouri Capitol buildings in addition to a number of other public court houses and institutions. One of his last works was completed at the age of 74. “The Pony Express” statue is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and honors the early pony express postal service. It depicts a postal worker riding a horse through the West. It was completed in 1940 and is another famous work that gets highly recognized.

Source: USA Coinbook