 Gobrecht 's death in July 1844 left the United States Bureau of the Mint ( generally , " Mint " ) without a chief engraver . Among those who hoped for appointment were Philadelphia banknote engraver Charles Welsh , and Allen Leonard , who had modeled the Mint 's medal for former president John Quincy Adams . Through the influence of Senator Calhoun , however , Longacre secured the appointment . According to coin historian Don Taxay , Longacre did not attempt to gain the support of Mint Director Robert M. Patterson in seeking the appointment from President John Tyler , and " if Patterson resented the slight , however , he was more annoyed by Leonard 's importunities . " 
