During my 13+ years as a sculptor-engraver for the United States Mint, I had the opportunity to work on Congressional Gold Medals for many prominent leaders and heads of state. Additionally, I had the honor to work on twoPresidential Medals.

One of my favorite Congressional Gold Medals (CGMs), however, was for the Dalai Lama. I designed the obverse and actually got to meet His Holiness.

The CGM Ceremony was held in the Capitol Rotunda in February of 2007. Several members of the Mint staff were invited to meet with His Holiness in his hotel suite before the ceremony. My boss, John Mercanti, and Ed Moy,the Director of the Mint, accompanied us to the much-anticipated meeting. It was THE hot ticket!

We all sat in a circle with the Dalai Lama to my immediate left. Everyone spoke briefly to him and when it got around to me I mentioned that I had gotten quite a feeling of serenity when working on this medal, which Idirectly attributed to him. He leaned forward to speak to me and I expected to hear the secret to eternal happiness. Instead he asked "Did you give me hair?" while brushing the top of his head. I assured him that I did. Weall had a laugh and then proceeded to talk about male pattern baldness.

To read the complete article, see:
Don Everhart: My Career in Coins, Part 3 - Historic Figures & Heads of State(https://coinweek.com/us-mint-news/don-everhart-my-career-in-coins-part-3-historic-figures-heads-of-state/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum excerpts, see:
DON EVERHART AT THE FRANKLIN MINT (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n14a18.html)
DON EVERHART AT THE U.S. MINT (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n16a10.html)