This past Wednesday night John Mercanti, 12th Chief Engraver (Retired) of the U.S. Mint, was honored by the Historic Rittenhouse Town of Philadelphia, PA. at the Merion Cricket Club. The David Rittenhouse Award is given bi-annually to honor those who demonstrate excellence and represent one of the many contributions that Rittenhouse made to American History including that of an astronomer, inventor, mathematician, surveyor and successor to Benjamin Franklin as President of the American Philosophical Society.

The award, a part of a year long celebration of the 225th anniversary of Rittenhouse being named the first Director of the U.S.Mint, was presented to John Mercanti for his decades of service and outstanding work as Chief Engraver/ Sculptor of the United States Mint.

John is the fourth recipient of the David Rittenhouse Award.