Portraits in relief
From a presidential portrait to silver birds
Gilroy Roberts (1905–1992) was a sculptor and engraver whose work ranged from postage stamps to medals and coins. He served as chief sculptor-engraver of the U.S. Mint from 1948 to 1964 and later was chief sculptor of the private Franklin Mint. The U.S. Mint and Franklin Mint were separate organizations.
The Kennedy half dollar carries Roberts’s portrait on the obverse. Frank Gasparro designed the presidential coat of arms reverse. In a 1964 account, Roberts explained how he adapted his earlier presidential medal portrait for the coin, working from the original plastilene model and lowering the relief through intermediate reductions and trial dies.
The Smithsonian catalogs a 1971 Blue Jays medal in silver as a Roberts design, with Franklin Mint as maker and issuing authority. The roles matter: a designer creates the image, while a mint strikes and may issue the object.
From the museum collection
A portrait and a bird medal
Two documented objects show the artist working across a government coin and a private medal.
Kennedy half dollar: a portrait adapted for coinage
Roberts reused his presidential medal portrait, removing the coat and reshaping the background for the half dollar. Jacqueline Kennedy asked for changes to the hair; Roberts revised the intermediate model before new trial strikes were made. Gasparro’s reverse was adapted from the same medal.
The Mint’s 1965 announcement says 1964-dated half dollars were 90 percent silver; the new 1965-dated layered composition contained 40 percent silver overall. Later circulating issues are copper-nickel clad, so the portrait alone does not identify silver content.
Blue Jays: read the catalog fields
The National Museum of American History describes its 1971 Blue Jays medal as struck in silver. Its catalog names Roberts as designer and Franklin Mint as both maker and issuing authority. These descriptions apply to the museum object; verify the alloy, weight and issue of any different specimen.
Medals are not automatically legal-tender coins. Preserve any packaging or issue paperwork, and record both sides, the edge, dimensions and condition alongside the attribution.
Names & chapters
How the story developed.
- 1948–1964
U.S. Mint leadership
Chief sculptor-engraver at the United States Mint.
- 1963–1964
Kennedy portrait adapted
Roberts and Gasparro adapted their medal designs for the half dollar.
- 1971
Blue Jays medal
The Smithsonian catalogs a silver example of the Roberts Bird series.
Follow an interest
What to explore.
A source-based historical profile; museum records and period documents describe specific objects. No specimen was physically examined or authenticated.
Check the details
Before you buy.
Start with the precise issue and material before comparing the design.
Open the references
Research this name.
- U.S. Mint
Study the Kennedy half dollar
Trace the coin’s history and changing composition.
- Museum collection
Examine the Blue Jays medal
Read the Smithsonian’s material and role fields.
- Collect Silver guide
Explore Franklin Mint ornaments
Compare a different category made by the private mint.
- Collect Silver profile
Explore the Franklin Mint
Distinguish the historical mint and the individual artist.
Sources & further reading
- National Bicentennial Competition: panel of judges U.S. Mint · Historical biography and roles
- Gilroy Roberts artist file Smithsonian Libraries · Artist dates
- Mint engravers’ recollection of Kennedy half-dollar production U.S. Mint · First-person accounts of design and production
- Blue Jays medal, Roberts Bird series, 1971 Smithsonian National Museum of American History · Object record: designer, maker, silver and struck technique
- First striking of new half dollars U.S. Mint · 1965 announcement of compositions
- Half dollar U.S. Mint · Coin history and later composition
The U.S. Mint provides Roberts’s account and institutional biography; the Smithsonian identifies a specific silver bird medal. Sources checked November 14, 2026.