Donna Weaver
Donna Weaver (born 1942) is a retired sculptor who is known for her work designing and sculpting United States coins and medals. From 2000 until her retirement in 2006 she worked as a sculptor-engraver for the United States Mint designing several U.S. state quarters and commemorative coins. Since her retirement, Weaver has continued contributing to the Mint through the Artistic Infusion Program.
Early life
[edit]Weaver was raised in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky and attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati where she studied painting and sculpting.[1] She graduated with a Fine Arts degree in 1966.[1]
Career
[edit]Beginning in the 1970s, Weaver worked at Kenner where she designed action figures and toys.[2] She later worked for Gibson Greeting Cards, creating and designing greeting cards.[3]
United States Mint
[edit]Weaver began working at the Philadelphia Mint in July 2000 as a sculptor-engraver.[4][5] In 2002, four of the five state quarters released were designed and sculpted by Weaver, those of Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, and Ohio.[6] She would also design and sculpt the Maine, Illinois, and Oregon state quarters.[6] Weaver also sculpted the redesigned forward-facing obverse of the Jefferson nickel, which was designed by Jamie Franki.[7] Weaver also worked on designs for commemorative coins, including the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial silver dollar, the reverse of the Chief Justice John Marshall silver dollar, and the obverse of the Thomas Alva Edison silver dollar.[8] Weaver would go on to design over 30 coins and medals at the US Mint until her retirement in 2006.[4][5]
Artistic Infusion Program
[edit]In 2007, Weaver was accepted into the Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) and continued to design models for the Mint as a contractor.[9][10] Through the AIP, she modeled the Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming state quarters.[6] Her design for the 10th Anniversary September 11th National Medal received praise.[11] She would also design several of the reverses for the America the Beautiful quarters program, such as those representing Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Arches National Park, and Cumberland Island National Seashore.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Weaver lives in Vevay, Indiana. She volunteers at a living history museum at the Venoge Farmstead, where she serves as director.[12]
She was married Thomas Weaver, who died in December 2002.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Coleman, Brent (November 26, 2015). "Indiana coin artist treasures her historic home". WCPO 9 Cincinnati. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ "About the sculptor". www.waxportraits.com. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Whitman, Sharyn (October 2018). "Artist Donna Weaver selected to create Woodfill bust". www.roundaboutmadison.com. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ a b Gilkes, Paul (February 20, 2006). "Engraver Weaver retires, Designer of coins leaves post Jan 13". Coin World. Vol. 47, no. 2393. p. 109.
- ^ a b "NGC Signs Signature Label Deal with Donna Weaver | NGC". www.ngccoin.com. Numismatic Guaranty Company. Archived from the original on 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ a b c d "Donna Weaver". www.usmint.gov. United States Mint. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ "A First for the United States: Jefferson to Face Forward on 2006 Nickel". www.usmint.gov. United States Mint. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Bowers, Q. David (November 2016). A Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins (2nd ed.). Whitman Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7948-4419-6.
- ^ "United States Mint Announces New Artistic Infusion Program Artists". www.usmint.gov. United States Mint. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Gilkes, Paul (March 24, 2024). "Additional artists brought on board for Mint program". Coin World. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Homren, Wayne K. (September 2011). "News & Notes". TAMS Journal. Token and Medal Society.
- ^ Williams, Erin (June 29, 2021). "Musee de Venoge wins prestigious award from Indiana Landmarks". Vevay Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ "WEAVER". The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 11, 2002. p. 31. Retrieved 2025-07-03.