 In July 1851 , Patterson retired and President Fillmore replaced him with Thomas Eckert . Peale 's medal business suffered a setback when Adam Eckfeldt , who was still performing the duties of chief coiner , died in 1852 . In 1854 , Mint Director James Ross Snowden fired Peale after the extent to which he had used Mint labor for private gain became public . Nevertheless , the firing caused considerable press attention , a Senate investigation , and a large demand for compensation by Peale . With his enemies gone , life at the Mint improved for Longacre . 
