Frank Gasparro was the U.S. Mint's chief engraver when discussion of a smaller-sized dollar coin came about. Gasparro hoped he would get the opportunity to create a classic design. He prepared sketches and models for an obverse featuring a flowing hair Miss Liberty with a pole and cap behind her head. Gasparro's proposed reverse design featured an eagle flying over a mountain, 13 stars and the sun's rays.

The U. S. Mint struck trial examples of Gasparro's design. Here is how it was reported in the 1977 Report of the Director of the Mint:

"The Office of Technology completed trial strikes on three proposed versions of a small dollar coin, bearing the Liberty obverse and the new eagle reverse. One version had an 11-sided inside border. The second had a groove near the border to aid vendors to discriminate against slugging. The third version was plain. Materials other than cupronickel clad copper were given detailed consideration; however the cupronickel clad material presently used for the dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar was judged most suitable for the proposed coin."

The obverse motif is the same one used on a medal that Gasparro designed for the American Numismatic Association's 1969 convention medal (depicted below). The mintage for this ANA convention medal is 400.

Meanwhile, a contingent in Congress was leaning toward placing Susan B. Anthony's portrait on the coin. Many collectors lobbied against the Anthony proposal in favor of a more traditional, allegorical portrait. Ultimately, both of Gasparro's original submissions were rejected in favor of a portrait of the suffragist who lead the fight granting women the right to vote. The reverse would be the same one Gasparro created for the reverse of the Eisenhower dollar -- an adaptation of the Apollo 11 insignia patch designed by astronaut Michael Collins -- called "Eagle Landing on the Moon."

VISIT KEN POTTER'S SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FRANK
GASPARRO'S PROPOSED LIBERTY HEAD DESIGN, INCLUDING A COPY OF THE
1977 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE MINT ON THE SUBJECT.

MEDALS AND TOKENS STRUCK USING
GASPARRO'S LIBERTY HEAD DESIGN

A handful of medals and tokens have been struck using Frank Gasparro's Liberty Head design. Here are a few of those pieces.

Robert Maxey struck medals of various designs from 1976 until about 1991. He was a member of the Baltimore Coin Club and had many beautiful designs struck under the name "The Baltimore City Mint". His medals were struck in various metals and are marked with his initial "M". The above medal was struck using a variation of Gasparro's design. I understand that approximately 20 to 30 pieces were struck, but this is not definitive. The piece above is bronze, 38mm in diameter, and has a reeded edge.