Thomas S. Cleveland

Artist, Illustrator, and Former United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer

Thomas S. Cleveland is an American designer, illustrator, and fine artist whose numismatic work has appeared on a wide range of modern United States coins and medals.

A native of Oklahoma, Cleveland studied advertising, illustration, design, and fine-art painting before building a professional career as an artist and designer. In 2004, he became part of the first group selected for the United States Mint’s newly created Artistic Infusion Program, which brought outside American artists into the coin and medal design process.

Early Life and Artistic Training

Thomas Scott Cleveland was born on June 8, 1960, in Oklahoma.

From an early age, he developed a strong interest in drawing and visual art.

He later studied advertising, illustration, and design at East Texas State University, with additional study in fine-art painting.

His professional background combined commercial illustration, graphic design, and traditional fine art — skills that later translated naturally into the demanding field of numismatic design.

Joining the United States Mint

In 2003, Cleveland applied to the United States Mint’s newly established Artistic Infusion Program.

The program was created to broaden the pool of artistic talent available to the Mint and introduce fresh perspectives into American coin and medal design.

From roughly 250 applicants, Cleveland was among a small group of artists selected for the inaugural program in 2004.

He ultimately served in the Artistic Infusion Program from 2004 through 2014 and became recognized as one of its original Master Designers.

The Artistic Infusion Program

The Artistic Infusion Program was established to supplement the work of the United States Mint’s staff sculptor-engravers.

Participating artists developed design concepts for:

• Circulating coins

• Commemorative coins

• Congressional Gold Medals

• Presidential and First Spouse issues

• Native American dollars

• American Platinum Eagles

• Other national medals and numismatic programs

Artists submitted concepts that went through the Mint’s formal design review and approval process before being sculpted and prepared for coinage.

Cleveland became one of the program’s most successful early contributors.

2007 American Platinum Eagle

One of Cleveland’s best-known numismatic designs is the reverse of the 2007 American Platinum Eagle Proof Coin.

The design features an American bald eagle in upward movement accompanied by a Federal shield and the inscription FREEDOM.

The design became one of Cleveland’s signature works and is frequently associated with his career as a U.S. Mint artist.

Native American Dollar Designs

Cleveland also contributed designs to the Native American $1 Coin program.

His work included the reverse of the 2010 Native American $1 Coin, honoring the Great Law of Peace and the influence of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy on concepts of representative government.

The design reflects the program’s broader purpose of recognizing important contributions made by Native Americans to the history and development of the United States.

Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter

Cleveland designed the reverse of the 2011 Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter issued as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

The design depicts the U.S.S. Cairo, an ironclad gunboat preserved at Vicksburg National Military Park.

The coin connected Cleveland’s artistic work with one of the most significant national commemorative coin programs of the modern era.

U.S. Army Half Dollar

Cleveland also designed the reverse of the 2011 United States Army Half Dollar.

The commemorative coin was part of a broader program honoring the history, traditions, and service of the United States Army.

His work on the coin added another major military-themed issue to his United States Mint portfolio.

Disabled American Veterans Silver Dollar

Cleveland designed the reverse of the 2010 Disabled American Veterans Silver Dollar.

The commemorative coin honored disabled veterans and recognized the sacrifices made by members of the United States Armed Forces.

The design became another important example of Cleveland’s work combining symbolic imagery with national historical themes.

First Spouse Gold Coins and Medals

Cleveland contributed several designs to the United States Mint’s First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal program.

His credits include:

• Abigail Adams — 2007 reverse

• Martin Van Buren’s Liberty — 2008 reverse

• Anna Harrison — 2009 reverse

• Florence Harding — 2014 obverse

• Florence Harding — 2014 reverse

These assignments demonstrated Cleveland’s versatility in portraiture, historical interpretation, and symbolic design.

Congressional Gold Medal Designs

Cleveland also created designs for Congressional Gold Medals honoring Native American Code Talkers.

His design credits include:

• Meskwaki Code Talkers Medal — 2013 obverse

• Choctaw Code Talkers Medal — 2013 obverse

• Crow Creek Code Talkers Medal — 2013 obverse

• Crow Creek Code Talkers Medal — 2013 reverse

These medals honored Native American servicemen whose languages were used to transmit secure military communications during wartime.

United States Mint Design Credits

Cleveland’s United States Mint design credits include:

• 2007 Abigail Adams First Spouse Coin and Medal — Reverse

• 2007 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coin — Reverse

• 2008 Martin Van Buren’s Liberty Coin and Medal — Reverse

• 2009 Anna Harrison First Spouse Coin and Medal — Reverse

• 2010 Native American $1 Coin — Reverse

• 2010 Disabled American Veterans Silver Dollar — Reverse

• 2011 U.S. Army Half Dollar — Reverse

• 2011 Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter — Reverse

• 2013 Meskwaki Code Talkers Medal — Obverse

• 2013 Choctaw Code Talkers Medal — Obverse

• 2013 Crow Creek Code Talkers Medal — Obverse and Reverse

• 2014 Florence Harding First Spouse Coin and Medal — Obverse and Reverse

Master Designer

During his decade with the Artistic Infusion Program, Cleveland became recognized as an original Master Designer.

By 2014, he was one of only a few original Master Designers from the inaugural group still participating in the program.

His long tenure reflected both the quality of his work and his ability to design successfully across very different subjects and coin programs.

Fine Art and Illustration

Cleveland’s career extends beyond coins and medals.

His broader artistic work includes illustration, design, drawing, painting, and teaching.

Before and during his U.S. Mint career, he worked professionally in visual design and developed artwork in multiple media.

That broader artistic background helped give his numismatic work a distinctive combination of graphic clarity and traditional representational art.

Teaching and Art Education

Cleveland has also worked as an art instructor.

Following his years with the United States Mint, he continued teaching artists through his own educational work in Texas.

His experience allows him to teach not only drawing and painting techniques but also the practical demands involved in producing artwork for commercial, institutional, and numismatic applications.

PCGS Signature Series

In 2017, Cleveland entered an exclusive signature-label agreement with Professional Coin Grading Service.

The Thomas S. Cleveland Signature Series gave collectors access to certified coins bearing labels personally signed by Cleveland.

The initial label design incorporated imagery associated with his 2007 American Platinum Eagle reverse.

PCGS highlighted Cleveland’s status as an original U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer and emphasized his extensive portfolio of United States coin and medal designs.

Cleveland and Modern Certified Coins

Cleveland’s connection with PCGS introduced his name to another generation of modern coin collectors.

His hand-signed certification labels can appear on modern United States coins even when Cleveland was not the designer of the underlying coin.

For collectors, these labels connect certified modern coinage with an artist who played a direct role in the modern era of U.S. Mint design.

Artistic Style

Cleveland’s numismatic work often combines strong central imagery with recognizable national and historical symbolism.

His designs have incorporated themes involving:

• Liberty

• Military service

• Native American history

• Presidential history

• National parks

• American government

• Patriotism

• Commemoration

Because coin designs must communicate within a very small physical space, successful compositions require simplicity, balance, and strong visual hierarchy.

Cleveland’s designs demonstrate those principles across numerous different programs.

Influence on Modern U.S. Coinage

Cleveland belonged to the first generation of outside artists brought into the Mint through the Artistic Infusion Program.

That distinction gives him an important place in modern American numismatic history.

The program changed the way U.S. coin designs were developed by introducing artists from outside the traditional Mint engraving staff and encouraging collaboration between outside designers and Mint sculptor-engravers.

Cleveland helped establish what that new model could accomplish.

Recognition and Legacy

Thomas Cleveland’s career represents an important chapter in modern American coin and medal design.

His lasting contributions include:

• Serving in the inaugural United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program

• Becoming an original Master Designer

• Creating designs for United States circulating and commemorative coins

• Designing the reverse of the 2007 American Platinum Eagle

• Contributing to the Native American $1 Coin program

• Designing an America the Beautiful quarter reverse

• Creating First Spouse Gold Coin designs

• Designing Congressional Gold Medals

• Contributing artwork honoring veterans and military service

• Participating in the PCGS Signature Series

Why Thomas Cleveland Matters

Thomas Cleveland matters because he helped shape the modern era of United States coin design at a time when the Mint was deliberately expanding its artistic approach.

As one of the original artists selected for the Artistic Infusion Program, Cleveland helped demonstrate how independent American artists could work alongside United States Mint sculptor-engravers to create coinage and medals of national significance.

His designs appear across numerous programs and commemorate subjects ranging from Native American history and military service to presidential history and national parks.

For modern collectors, Cleveland represents the connection between contemporary American fine art and the continuing tradition of United States coin design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Thomas S. Cleveland?

Thomas S. Cleveland is an American designer, illustrator, fine artist, and former United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer.

When did Thomas Cleveland join the United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program?

He was selected for the inaugural Artistic Infusion Program in 2004 and participated through 2014.

What is Thomas Cleveland best known for?

One of his best-known works is the reverse design of the 2007 American Platinum Eagle Proof Coin.

Did Thomas Cleveland design a U.S. quarter?

Yes. He designed the reverse of the 2011 Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter.

Did Thomas Cleveland design Native American dollar coins?

Yes. He designed the reverse of the 2010 Native American $1 Coin honoring the Great Law of Peace.

Did Thomas Cleveland design Congressional Gold Medals?

Yes. His credits include medals honoring Meskwaki, Choctaw, and Crow Creek Code Talkers.

Did Thomas Cleveland design First Spouse coins?

Yes. His United States Mint credits include designs associated with Abigail Adams, Martin Van Buren’s Liberty, Anna Harrison, and Florence Harding.

Does Thomas Cleveland have a PCGS signature label?

Yes. PCGS announced an exclusive Thomas S. Cleveland Signature Series in 2017 featuring his authentic signature on certification labels.

Official Resource

Learn more about Thomas S. Cleveland, his United States Mint design career, major coin and medal credits, and his PCGS Signature Series through Professional Coin Grading Service.

Numismatist, Large Cent Specialist, and Creator of the Sheldon Grading Scale

William Herbert Sheldon was an American psychologist, physician, academic researcher, and numismatist whose work had a lasting influence on the way American coins are graded and classified.

Born in 1898 in Rhode Island, Sheldon pursued an extensive academic career in psychology and medicine while also becoming one of the most serious specialists in early United States large cents.

For collectors, his most enduring contributions are:

• The numerical 1-to-70 grading concept now known as the Sheldon Scale

• The system of Sheldon numbers used to identify early large-cent varieties

• Early American Cents

• Penny Whimsy

• His detailed study of United States cents dated 1793 through 1814

These contributions remain embedded in modern American numismatics.

Early Life and Education

William Herbert Sheldon was born on November 19, 1898, in Warwick, Rhode Island.

He attended Brown University and later earned advanced degrees from the University of Colorado and the University of Chicago.

His academic training ultimately included both a Ph.D. and an M.D.

Sheldon taught and conducted research at several major institutions during his career, including the University of Chicago, University of Wisconsin, Harvard University, Columbia University, and the University of Oregon Medical School.

Early Interest in Large Cents

Sheldon developed an interest in United States large cents while still young.

Large cents issued from 1793 through 1814 became the area with which his name would become permanently associated.

Unlike collectors who focused only on date and condition, Sheldon studied individual die varieties and attempted to identify the different obverse and reverse die combinations used to produce early cents.

That detailed approach helped bring greater organization to the study of early American copper coinage.

Early American Cents

In 1949, Sheldon published one of his most important numismatic works:

Early American Cents, 1793–1814

The book attempted to catalog the known varieties of early United States large cents.

It also introduced several concepts that became extremely influential in American numismatics.

These included:

• Numerical grading

• Variety attribution

• Condition census information

• Rarity evaluation

• Relative market-value concepts

• Sheldon variety numbers

The work became a foundational reference for collectors of early American copper coins.

The Sheldon Grading Scale

Sheldon’s most famous contribution was his numerical system for describing coin condition.

In Early American Cents, he introduced grades ranging from 1 through 70.

The original system was designed specifically for early large cents and attempted to relate a coin’s condition to its market value.

The highest grade, 70, represented what Sheldon regarded as a theoretically perfect coin.

The original scale included grades such as:

• 1 — Basal State

• 2 — Fair

• 3 — Very Fair

• 4, 5, 6 — Good

• 7, 8, 10 — Very Good

• 12, 15 — Fine

• 20, 30 — Very Fine

• 40 — Extremely Fine

• 50 — About Uncirculated

• 60, 65, 70 — Mint State

The exact grading system used today has evolved considerably, but the fundamental 1-to-70 structure remains.

From Large Cents to Modern Coin Grading

Sheldon did not originally design his scale as a universal grading system for every United States coin.

It was created primarily to describe and value early copper cents.

Over time, however, the numerical concept proved useful well beyond that specialty.

The modern grading industry eventually adopted the 1-to-70 framework for virtually all United States coinage.

Today, professional grading services use familiar grades such as:

• G4

• VG8

• F12

• VF20

• XF40

• AU50

• AU58

• MS60

• MS63

• MS65

• MS69

• MS70

Although modern grading standards are not identical to Sheldon’s original system, the numerical framework traces directly back to his work.

Why 70?

The number 70 was originally connected to Sheldon’s attempt to relate grade and market value.

He theorized that an early cent in perfect condition could be worth approximately seventy times as much as the same variety in the lowest collectible condition.

That mathematical relationship did not remain reliable as the coin market evolved.

The 70-point scale itself, however, survived and became the standard numerical language of American coin grading.

Sheldon Numbers

Sheldon also created a system for identifying individual die varieties of early United States large cents.

These are commonly called Sheldon numbers.

They are written with an “S” followed by a number, such as:

• S-1

• S-2

• S-3

• S-4

The system begins with early 1793 cents and continues through the large-cent issues of 1814.

Sheldon cataloged 295 collectible varieties, while exceptionally rare additional varieties are generally identified with “NC” designations.

What Is a Sheldon Variety?

Early United States coins were produced using individually prepared dies.

Different combinations of obverse and reverse dies can create distinguishable varieties within the same date and denomination.

Collectors study features such as:

• Letter placement

• Numeral positioning

• Hair details

• Wreath characteristics

• Leaf positions

• Fraction placement

• Die cracks

• Die states

• Other diagnostic details

Sheldon’s numbering system gave collectors a standardized way to identify these varieties.

That terminology remains widely used among large-cent specialists today.

Penny Whimsy

Sheldon’s large-cent research was later revised and expanded in the book:

Penny Whimsy

Published in 1958, the work continued the systematic study of early American cents and became one of the classic references in the field.

Walter Breen and Dorothy Paschal were also associated with the revised work.

For generations of early-copper collectors, Penny Whimsy became one of the defining books of the specialty.

Early American Coppers

Sheldon also had an important connection with the specialized community of early American copper collectors.

He was a charter member of the Early American Coppers organization and was assigned honorary membership number 1.

The organization became a major center for collectors and researchers specializing in:

• Large cents

• Half cents

• Colonial copper coins

• Early American copper varieties

His research helped establish the kind of detailed die-variety study that remains central to early-copper collecting.

Sheldon’s Large Cent Collections

Sheldon assembled several important collections of early large cents during his lifetime.

His third collection reportedly contained all 295 numbered varieties described within his system along with additional extremely rare varieties.

His collecting activity demonstrated that his research was not purely academic.

He was deeply involved in identifying, comparing, acquiring, and studying the actual coins that formed the basis of his classification system.

American Numismatic Association Recognition

Sheldon received recognition from the American numismatic community during his lifetime.

In 1952, he received the American Numismatic Association Medal of Merit.

The award recognized his contributions to numismatic research and the study of early American coinage.

Professional Career Outside Numismatics

Numismatics was only one part of Sheldon’s professional life.

He was also a psychologist, physician, professor, and researcher.

His academic work focused heavily on attempts to classify human physique and personality through a system known as somatotyping.

Those theories became controversial and are now regarded very differently from his numismatic work.

His career therefore occupies an unusual place in history: his psychological theories became heavily disputed, while his numerical coin-grading framework became deeply embedded in modern numismatics.

Controversy Surrounding Sheldon

A complete historical account of Sheldon also requires acknowledging serious controversies associated with him.

His psychological research included theories and practices that later attracted significant criticism, including work associated with eugenics and controversial photographic studies.

Separately, after his death, the American Numismatic Society accused Sheldon of having replaced valuable large cents from the Society’s collection with inferior specimens from his own holdings. Coins connected with those allegations have subsequently been identified and returned over time.

These controversies are distinct from the lasting technical influence of his grading and large-cent classification work, but they remain part of the historical record.

Modern Professional Coin Grading

The modern professional grading industry transformed Sheldon’s original concept into the standardized system collectors recognize today.

Companies such as PCGS and other professional grading services use numerical grades within the 1-to-70 framework.

Modern grading incorporates factors including:

• Surface preservation

• Strike

• Luster

• Eye appeal

• Wear

• Contact marks

• Overall condition

The meaning and application of individual grades have evolved considerably since Sheldon’s original large-cent model.

Still, the underlying numerical language remains his most visible legacy.

MS70 and PR70

Two of the most recognizable modern grades are:

MS70 — Mint State 70

and

PR70 — Proof 70

These grades represent the highest numerical level within the modern Sheldon-based grading framework.

That means the “70” collectors see on modern certified coins ultimately traces back to the grading structure Sheldon proposed for early American cents decades before third-party grading services existed.

Influence on Certified Coin Collecting

The development of professional third-party grading dramatically increased the importance of numerical grades.

Certified holders now prominently display grades such as:

• MS65

• MS67

• MS69

• MS70

• PR69

• PR70

Those numerical grades influence how coins are:

• Bought

• Sold

• Auctioned

• Cataloged

• Insured

• Compared

• Registered in collections

• Discussed by collectors and dealers

Although the modern marketplace is very different from the one Sheldon knew, the numbering framework remains unmistakably connected to his work.

Recognition and Legacy

William Herbert Sheldon’s numismatic legacy is substantial.

His lasting contributions include:

• Creating the foundation of the modern 1-to-70 coin grading scale

• Publishing Early American Cents

• Publishing the revised Penny Whimsy

• Systematically cataloging early large-cent varieties

• Creating Sheldon variety numbers

• Advancing condition-census research

• Helping formalize the study of early American copper coinage

• Influencing professional third-party coin grading

Few numismatic classification systems have become as universally recognizable as the scale bearing his name.

Why William Herbert Sheldon Matters

William Herbert Sheldon matters to numismatics because virtually every modern American coin collector encounters his influence.

A collector looking at a coin graded MS65, MS69, MS70, PR69, or PR70 is using a numerical language whose foundation traces back to Sheldon.

Large-cent specialists continue using S-numbers derived from his research.

His books helped transform early-cent collecting into a highly organized specialty based on die varieties, condition, rarity, and comparative study.

At the same time, Sheldon remains a complicated historical figure whose broader academic career and conduct generated substantial controversy.

Understanding both sides provides a more complete picture of a man whose numismatic ideas profoundly influenced the modern coin marketplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was William Herbert Sheldon?

William Herbert Sheldon was an American psychologist, physician, academic researcher, and numismatist best known in coin collecting for developing the numerical grading system that became the foundation of the modern 1-to-70 grading scale.

What is the Sheldon Scale?

The Sheldon Scale is the numerical coin-grading framework ranging from 1 to 70 that originated with Sheldon’s study of early United States large cents.

Why does the coin grading scale end at 70?

Sheldon originally attempted to relate a coin’s numerical condition to its relative market value, with a theoretically perfect example valued at approximately seventy times a basal-state example. The valuation formula did not survive, but the 70-point structure did.

What book introduced the Sheldon Scale?

Sheldon presented the system in Early American Cents, published in 1949.

What are Sheldon numbers?

Sheldon numbers, commonly written as S-numbers, identify die varieties of United States large cents dated 1793 through 1814.

What is Penny Whimsy?

Penny Whimsy is the revised and expanded version of Sheldon’s early-cent reference work and became a classic reference for collectors of early American large cents.

Is the modern grading scale exactly the same as Sheldon’s original system?

No. Modern professional grading uses additional numerical grades and different grading criteria, but it retains the fundamental 1-to-70 framework Sheldon introduced.

Is the Sheldon Scale still used today?

Yes. The 1-to-70 numerical framework remains the standard foundation for professional grading of United States coins.

Was Sheldon controversial?

Yes. His academic work and conduct attracted significant controversy, and after his death he was also accused by the American Numismatic Society of improperly exchanging coins from its collection.

Official Resource

Learn more about William Herbert Sheldon, his groundbreaking study of early American large cents, the development of Sheldon varieties, and the numismatic classification system that continues to influence collectors today through Professional Coin Grading Service.