U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Commemorative Coin
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The United States Capitol. For the People -- By the People
Celebrate the first meeting of Congress in the U.S. Capitol and be part
of history in the making by helping build the first ever Visitor Center
for the U.S. Capitol. Congress has authorized three commemorative coins to
celebrate the bicentennial of the first meeting of Congress at the U.S.
Capitol building in Washington, D.C. A portion of the proceeds from the
sale of each coin -- $35 for gold, $10 for silver, $3 for clad -- is
authorized to be paid to the Capitol Preservation Fund for the purpose of
aiding the construction, maintenance, and preservation of a new Capitol
Visitor Center. The Visitor Center will offer modern facilities, free
educational movies and exhibits, and will eliminate long waits outside.
The gold five-dollar coin is the design of Elizabeth Jones, the only
woman to hold the position of U.S. Mint Chief Sculptor/Engraver. The
obverse of this coin includes an intricate carving of a single Corinthian
column, the type found on the Capitol building. The coin’s reverse is
adorned with an image of the original structure, beautifully portraying
the edifice where the first congressional session was held in the U.S.
Capitol.
The silver dollar obverse is a creation of artist Marika Somogy. The
obverse portrays the original U.S. Capitol superimposed on the image of
today’s Capitol building. The contrasting images illustrate how we have
grown as a nation. The reverse is the design of Mint sculptor/engraver
John Mercanti and portrays a bald eagle cloaked in a banner inscribed “U.S.
Capitol Visitor Center.”
Dean McMullen designed the clad half-dollar obverse. It features the
original U.S. Capitol building within an outline of the present day
Capitol. The reverse is a combination of designs by artists Marcel Jovine
and Alex Shagin. It portrays 16 stars and the inscription “32 SENATORS;
106 HOUSE MEMBERS”. The stars represent the number of states and the
inscriptions reflects number of members in the 6th Congress-the first
Congress to meet in the new Capitol in 1800.
Metal composition of the coins is as follows:
Gold five-dollar; 90% gold and 10% alloy, diameter is 0.850 (±0.003)
inches or 21.59 (±0.08) mm and the weight is 8.359 (±0.042) grams.
Silver one-dollar; 90% silver and 10% alloy, diameter is 1.500 (±0.003)
inches or 38.10 (±0.08) mm and the weight is 26.730 (±0.400) grams. Clad
half-dollar; 92% copper and 8% nickel, diameter is 1.205 (±0.003) inches
or 30.61 (±0.08) mm and the weight is 11.340 (±0.454) grams. The coins
were offered by the United States Mint with various packaging options and
at different prices. Each option has its own official Certificate of
Authenticity.
Coin Information Provided Courtesy The
United States Mint. |
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