Indian Head gold pieces was modified by Barber, was "worthy of J.J. Audubon". Dies for the half eagle were sent to the mints in Denver and San Francisco; both western mints reported difficulties in striking the new pieces. Landis wrote to his counterparts at the other mints, advising them that the planchets, or blanks, needed to be shaved very slightly to strike properly. The new coins proved to be thinner than earlier coins of their denomination, due to the field being raised above the design. This meant that automated sorting machines could not reliably sort them when mixed with earlier coins. The new gold
Derek Blanks Derek Blanks Derek Blanks (born November 5, 1977) is an American photographer, illustrator, director and producer. Derek Blanks was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He is the middle twin of three siblings. Blanks attended Murrah High School in Jackson, MS enrolled in APAC: The Academic and Performing Arts Complex open to eligible student’s grades 4-12. In 2000, Blanks graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD whereas he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. Upon graduation, Blanks worked in commercial design, illustration and freelance photography through work with The Baltimore Sun and illustrated