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When the bald eagle was proposed to serve as the national bird of the United States, Benjamin Franklin famously disliked the idea, writing in defense of the turkey instead. He believed that the bald eagle was “a bird of bad moral Character.” However, there was one special bald eagle whose character stood in direct contrast to Franklin’s rather harsh judgment, and his name… was Peter.
Formally dubbed Peter Jefferson, this docile eagle became a notable city figure during the early to mid-1800s. For over 50 years, he made the Philadelphia Mint his home, bringing joy to both visitors and employees of the mint alike. Despite being an eagle, Peter was remarkably tame. During the day, the beloved bird would roam freely indoors, even perching on the coin presses. The workers at the mint grew fond of Peter, even considering him an exceptional employee. Every night, he would venture out to roam the skies of Philadelphia, but always returned by the morning to greet the mint’s workers clocking in for the day.
Unfortunately, Peter’s close connection with the mint led to a… fowl accident, so to speak. While perched on the flywheel of a coining press, Peter’s wing was caught in the machinery, resulting in a fatal injury. His untimely death deeply saddened those who had grown to love his presence at the mint.
Peter Jefferson’s legacy remains, though, literally: his taxidermied remains have been on display for over 150 years at the Philadelphia Mint, greeting those who enter the building, just as he did during his life.
Established in 1792, the Philadelphia Mint holds the title of the oldest continuously operating mint in the U.S. and is still a key player today in producing coins for circulation. It also served as Peter the Eagle’s homebase!
Perhaps to the chagrin of Benjamin Franklin’s ghost, the bald eagle’s talons have dug deep into American symbolism. The bald eagle first gained recognition as a national symbol in 1782, actually predating the ratification of the United States Constitution by six years. Its image has been featured on U.S. coins since 1794. It is a prominent symbol on multiple official U.S. documents, including passports, dollar bills, and the reverse side of all quarters. It’s rumored that Peter himself was the model for the eagle on the dollar coin! So, next time you go to spend U.S. currency or spot an American passport, think of the legacy of Peter the Eagle, a bird of incredible moral character. Sorry, Ben.
