Linderman, Henry Richard Publique Deposited
Director of the Mint
(b. 12/26/1825 d. 1/27/1879)
Born in Lehman Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania. Attended the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons. Practiced medicine with his father. Married Emily Davis in 1853. They had one son.
His uncle was U. S. Senator Richard Broadhead who influenced his appointment by President Pierce as Chief Clerk of the Mint. He served 1855 to 1864. He resigned to enter the banking business.
He was active in Democratic Party politics and attended the 1868 national convention. He was appointed Director of the Mint by President Andrew Johnson and served April 1, 1867, to May 1869. When a Republican administration came into power, his services were terminated. Appointed Director of the Bureau of the Mint by President Grant and served April 1873 to December 1878. He is credited as author of the coinage act of 1873. He proposed the Trade Dollar to facilitate trade with China and other areas of the Orient.
Linderman was a coin collector. His position gave him the opportunity to have pieces struck to order. He had an 1804 dollar in his collection that came directly from the mint. It sold for $470 to James Ten Eyck. His collection included a number of patterns. It was cataloged for sale by Lyman Low June 28, 1887. A dispute arose over the legality of some of the patterns and the collection was withdrawn from sale. It was finally sold February 28, 1888. Lyman Low had joined Scott Stamp and Coin and they conducted the sale. The 188 lots realized $1843.28.
Author of Money and Legal Tender in the United States in 1879.
Linderman died in Washington, D. C.
Linderman appears on a mint medal (USM 305) as one of the series for Directors of the Mint. Dies were by William Barber.
Linderman appears on the Assay Commission Medal for 1879 (AC-19). Dies were by William Barber.
bio: ApCAB; DAB; Evans; Failor; NCAB 4; TCBDA; WWWA-H
obit: AJN 14 Jul 1879 pages 26-27
- 1825-12-26
- Lehman Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania
- 1879-01-27