The German-American sculptor whose competition design established the Jefferson nickel's portrait and Monticello identity.
Biography
Schlag trained and worked as a sculptor in Germany before emigrating to the United States. He won the 1938 national competition for a new five-cent coin honoring Thomas Jefferson.
Style and legacy
His Jefferson portrait is broad and direct. The Mint substantially revised his original angled Monticello presentation and lettering into the frontal building view used for production. The Jefferson portrait and Monticello reverse served for generations. Schlag's initials were not added to the coin until 1966, making later attribution visible on the object itself.