the first deposit of gold to be struck into coins was made at the mint in february 1795, by moses brown of boston. around may 1795, the first mint director, david rittenhouse, set engraver robert scot the task of preparing dies for an issue of gold coins. rittenhouse resigned in june, before the work came to fruition, and was replaced by henry desaussure. the new director took office on july 9, 1795, and pressed to have the gold coin project completed with great speed. desaussure also publicized that the mint would be striking gold pieces, the new nation's first; the first half eagles (five-dollar pieces) were struck 22 days later. dies for the eagle coinage were prepared, most likely by scot and by long-time mint employee adam eckfeldt.