Pierre Eugene du Simitiere (1736? - October 1784) (originally named Pierre-Eugène Ducimetière) was a philosopher, member of the American Philosophical Society, naturalist, patriot, and portrait painter. He was born in Geneva, Switzerland and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
He served as the artistic consultant for the committees that designed the Great Seal of the United States, and in 1776 he submitted the first proposed design to include the Eye of Providence, which element was eventually adopted.[1] He also suggested the adoption of the U.S. motto E pluribus unum (Out of Many, One) and was partially responsible for the Seal of New Jersey.
His coin collection was the first record in Early American history to serve as collateral on a loan granted to him by William Dilwyn. This collection later on was sold at public auction by Matthew Clarkson and Ebenezer Hazard, on March 19, 1785 at Philadelphia. Included in the sale as Lot #19 was "A Mahogany cabinet containing ancient and modern Gold, Silver, and Copper Coins and Medals."[2] This sale precedes all sales in Atinelli's Numisgraphics [3] by 43 years and is considered to be the first known coin auction sale in America. An advertisement for this sale reposes in the Archives of the Library Company of Philadelphia.
References
- ^ Submissions of the first Great Seal Committee, at GreatSeal.com
- ^ [Orosz, Dr. Joel J. (1988). The Eagle That Is Forgotten. Bowers & Merena Galleries. ISBN 0943161169.]
- ^ [Atinelli, E.J. (1876). Numisgraphics. Self Published. ISBN N/A.]
Orosz, Joel J., The Eagle That is Forgotten (Wolfenboro, 1988)
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