On this Memorial Day I will post some of the many contributions that Robert Scot made to the United States, through the Revolutionary time period to the early nineteenth century. Much of what has been written about Robert Scot is myth, such as being a "notoriously slow worker." Rather than dwell on these, I will list some of his accomplishments that greatly benefitted early America: Engraved the radical Virginia Currency 1775-1779, featuring the Virginia Seal which depicted the overthrow of tyranny and the motto "Sic Semper Tyrannis." For then Governor Thomas Jefferson, Scot engraved the Virginia Happy While United Indian Peace Medals (1780) with the motto "Rebellion to Tyrants is obedience to God." Only one is known in silver, which surfaced in 2011 and sold for $109,250 at Stack's. Also did counterfeit detection under Jefferson. For Robert Morris (supt of Finance) engraved "Morris' Notes" (1781) that helped to finance the final days of the War of Independence, including the Siege of Yorktown. Did considerable engraving for officers of the Continental Army including the magnificent illustration of the decisive battle of the American Revolution, the Siege of Yorktown, dedicated to General George Washington (1782). Scot was highly sought after, engraved a map of the US based on Treaty of Paris (1784), did work for the society of the Cincinnati. Scot engraved many federal seals including the original Great Seal of the US and the 1798 Navy Department Seal. Scot was instrumental in the expansion of illustrated scientific books in the US, collaborating with Scottish-American publishers that enabled works such as Thomas Dobson's Encyclopædia (1790...). While at the Mint, Scot engraved hundreds of dies for the first Federal Issues of Embossed Revenue Stamps that were used to finance the First Barbary War and the Quasi-War (1798-1800). Chief Engraver of the US Mint 1793-1823 (first presidential appointment). Scot was born in Canongate, Scotland October 2, 1745 (Scotland old parish records), he started his first engraving and modelling partnership in 1764 (Edinburgh Court records). Contemporary assessments of Scot's work placed him as among the best, or the best, of US engravers at the time. The preceding is just a portion of Scot's work.
So, My Father died Two years ago on this day! I get the feeling of Memorial Day! He was a service man But, I rebelled and didn't sign into a service. My Grand Pa was a Marine in WW2, found out that the most peaceful Man I have ever known was at the front of a flat boat with a machine gun, he was required to shoot at everything that came at him. He and many others are what this day is about.
