James Ross Snowden

James Ross Snowden
Portrait of James Ross Snowden
Director of the United States Mint
In office June 1853 – May 1861
Preceded by	Thomas M. Pettit
Succeeded by	James Pollock

James Ross Snowden (9 December 1809, Old Chester, Pennsylvania – 21 March 1878, Hulmeville, Pennsylvania) was treasurer of the United States Mint from 1847 to 1850, and director of the Mint from 1853 to 1861.

Snowden was the son of Sarah (Gustine) and The Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden. He was educated at Dickinson College. Subsequently he studied law, and, settling in Franklin, Pennsylvania, was made deputy attorney general, elected to the legislature in 1838, and served as speaker in 1842-44. He was state treasurer from 1845 until 1847, and was also elected colonel in the state militia.

Snowden developed an interest in numismatics during his work at the United States Mint, and became a noted numismatist of his day. He contributed to such publications as Bouvier's Law Dictionary, as well as publishing several numismatic works of his own.

He married Susan Engle Patterson in 1848. They had five children. His great-grandfather, Nathanael Fitz Randolph, served in the American Revolutionary War, being known as “Fighting Nat,” and was presented with a sword by the legislature of New Jersey. He also started the first subscription paper for Princeton College, and gave the ground upon which Nassau Hall, the first edifice of that college, was built. This received its name in honor of William III of England of the “illustrious house of Nassau.” It has been twice burned down. His father was curator of Dickinson College from 1794 until 1827. His nephew A. Loudon Snowden became superintendent of the Philadelphia office of the United States Mint.

He contributed articles on the coin of the United States to the National Almanac of 1873.