Undated Plaster of Liberty. By John Mercanti, 12th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, after Augustin Dupre. Mint State. 185 mm x 145 mm, oval in cream plaster. An exquisite portrait of Liberty and her phrygian cap similar to that seen on Dupres famous Libertas Americana medal and some of our nations earliest coinage. Signed JM on the truncation. The plaster is mounted on a rectangular black plastic plaque with a paper sticker on the back with the handwritten inscription TO ANTHONY FOR YOUR / PATIENTS (sic). I HOPE YOU / APPROVE. / J. (signature) / JOHN MERCANTI / 12TH CHIEF ENGRAVER / U.S. MINT. Mercanti served the Mint from 1974 to 2010 and held the title Chief Engraver for his final four years. Very attractive and a significant work of art by a renown sculptor. The Anthony to whom this plaster was presented in Anthony Swiatek, the highly regarded numismatic author and dealer.
