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Frank Gasparro – a perspective on his art.
15th April 2008
The Vikings dvd Chief Engraver for the U.S. Mint from 1965-1981. His initials (FG) appear on many coins we use today. His designs on our circulating currency reflect a more modern less inspired approach to coin art. I don’t blame him for the lack of inspiration when you have Ike as a portrait subject. Let’s face it Eisenhower was a great general but he was not the most photogenic person. Frank Gasparro designed coins in a time when we started to remove lady liberty from our coins and we began to immortalize some of our great presidents. He continued the tradition started with the Lincoln cent designed by Victor D. Brenner. Most of his designs were based on other statues , busts or paintings and not wholey created on his own. I think these restrictions either self imposed or congressionally imposed made it difficult to be creative during this time. Below is a medal created 
by Frank Gasparro of John Wayne. When Gasparro was able to explore art and be more creative in his designs. You can see his ability as an artist. If you want examples of his best artistic endeavors you might want to purchase a few of the medals he designed. This metal is currently available from the U.S. Mint. I know it sounds like a commercial, sorry about that, I just want to provide a link for anyone interested in his art. us mint John Wayne medal Swimfan on dvd
The medal is based on other art that was made of John Wayne.
Frank Gasparro died at age 92 and his last circulating design was the Susan B. Anthony dollar. Oddly enough he was born the same year that the Lincoln penny was introduced in 1909.
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