Who Was John Quincy Adams?
John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States, serving from 1825 to 1829. He was born in Massachusetts in 1767 and was the son of John Adams, the second president of the United States. Adams was a diplomat, senator, and Secretary of State under President James Monroe before winning the presidency himself in 1824. He was known for his support of education and his opposition to slavery, which he saw as a moral evil.
The First President to Appear on a Coin
George Washington was the first president to appear on a US coin, the 1792 half disme. Since then, many other presidents have been featured on coins and bills. However, John Quincy Adams did not appear on US currency until 2008, over a century and a half after his presidency ended.
The John Quincy Adams Presidential Dollar
In 2007, the United States Mint began a program to honor all US presidents by featuring them on a series of dollar coins. The program, known as the Presidential $1 Coin Program, ran from 2007 to 2016. John Quincy Adams was one of the presidents chosen to be featured on a coin.
What is a Presidential Dollar?
A Presidential Dollar is a one-dollar coin that features the image of a US president. The coins were released in the order that the presidents served, with four presidents being honored each year. The coins were intended for circulation but were not widely used due to the public’s preference for paper money.
Design and Features of the John Quincy Adams Dollar
The John Quincy Adams Dollar features a portrait of Adams on the obverse side of the coin, along with the words "John Quincy Adams, 6th President, 1825-1829." The reverse side of the coin features the Statue of Liberty and the words "United States of America" and "$1." The coin was designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Charles Vickers.
How to Identify the John Quincy Adams Dollar
The John Quincy Adams Dollar can be identified by the portrait of Adams on the obverse side of the coin. He is facing to the left and wearing a suit and tie. The coin also has the words "John Quincy Adams, 6th President, 1825-1829" printed around the portrait.
What Happened to the Presidential Dollar Program?
The Presidential Dollar Program ended in 2016 due to low demand for the coins. The program was replaced by the Native American $1 Coin Program, which features designs that celebrate Native American contributions to the US.
Other Bills and Coins Featuring John Quincy Adams
While John Quincy Adams did not appear on any bills, there are other coins and tokens that feature his image. One example is the $2 bill featuring John Trumbull’s painting "Declaration of Independence," which includes a portrait of Adams among other founding fathers. Another example is the "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?" token, which was used in the anti-slavery movement and features an image of Adams.
Conclusion: John Quincy Adams’ Legacy on Currency
John Quincy Adams’ legacy on US currency is relatively small, with his appearance on only one Presidential Dollar coin. However, his contributions to American history, including his opposition to slavery and support of education, have been a lasting influence on the country.
References and Further Reading
- "John Quincy Adams Presidential $1 Coin." United States Mint. https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/presidential-dollar-program/john-quincy-adams-presidential-1-coin
- "John Quincy Adams." History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/john-quincy-adams
- "John Quincy Adams on Money." The Numismatist.
