engravings were the largest number of scientific illustrations for a book printed in America at that time, and were considered to be "superior in elegance to those executed in London." Thomas Dobson then proceeded with a fourteen year endeavor to publish an American Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica beginning in 1790, protected under the American Copyright Act of 1790. Robert Scot engraved the largest number of engravings for Dobson's Encyclopædia, and subsequently hired four apprentice engravers, Samuel Allardice, Francis Shallus, Benjamin Jones, and John Draper. The engraving of quality scientific illustrations by Robert Scot and his apprentices helped to rapidly expand the publication of illustrated books within the United States during the 1790s. Chief Engraver of the United States Mint Robert Scot was commissioned Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on November 23, 1793, after the tragic death of non-commissioned engraver Joseph Wright from the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. To continue his obligations for Dobson's Encyclopædia, Samuel Allardice was made partner with Scot, and the engraving firm of Scot & Allardice would utilize apprentices to finish a large number of book illustrations until their partnership ended in 1796. The Coinage Act of 1792 mandated design requirements for United States coins, including an obverse "emblematic of liberty" and a reverse with "the figure or representation of an eagle." Scot's initial coinage designs included the Liberty Cap half cent and the Flowing Hair silver coins. In 1795, Scot engraved designs for the first gold coins of the U.S. Mint that included a drapery for Miss Liberty. The drapery was continued with silver coins starting in 1795, with the famous Draped Bust design. After several reverse issues for silver and gold coins with small eagle designs, Scot introduced the Heraldic Eagle reverse in 1796, a modification of the Great Seal of the United States. Upon request, Robert Scot penned a four page letter to Congress in 1795 outlining his responsibilities as Chief Engraver. Robert Scot received a salary of $1200 for each year that he was employed by the United States Mint. During the years 1807–1817, Assistant Engraver John Reich was employed by the United States Mint, and engraved the coin designs of those years. Robert Scot did all of the coinage die engraving at the United States Mint from Reich's resignation until his death in 1823. Federal stamps and seals In 1798, Robert Scot engraved rate stamp dies for each