Templeton Reid
Biography
Born in Greene County, Georgia. Employed as a gunsmith and jeweler. He was the first person to strike gold coins in the United States. He operated in Milledgeville, Georgia, briefly in July 1930 and then in Gainsville until 1834. About 1600 gold pieces were struck in $2.50, $5.00 and $10.00 denominations. The pieces labeled California Gold and dated 1849 were believed to have been struck in Georgia. Reid never went to California. He is reported to have died in Rome, Georgia, after a fall downstairs.
bio: NUM 78 Dec 1965 pages 1831-1833
Source credit: Pete Smith, American Numismatic Biographies
Bio Snapshot
Date of Birth: 1789Place of Birth: Greene County, Georgia
Date of Death: 1851