In 1876, George T. Morgan began creating a series of new coin designs at the behest of Director of the Mint, Dr. Henry R.

[1] Morgan opted to use the profile of an American girl to depict the Goddess of Liberty instead of simply creating an imaginary figure for the obverse of his new design.

[1] After he rejected several possible candidates, Morgan's friend, artist Thomas Eakins, recommended Anna Williams of Philadelphia.

[1] A condition of her sitting for Morgan was that her identity be kept secret, but the subject of the portrait was revealed to be Williams shortly after the dollar was released.

[1] Williams was troubled by her newly acquired fame, receiving thousands of letters and visits at both her home and workplace.