Inspiring American Volunteerism
Congress authorized the commemorative 1996-S National Community Service Silver Dollar to be struck to raise funds for the National Community Service Trust to support community service programs at universities and recognize Americans that give spend their time helping others in their community and nationwide by donating blood, packaging food, volunteering in hospitals, working on conservation projects, supporting youth programs, joining the Peace Corps, participating in VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America).
In the 1990s, after the end of the Cold War, America shifted its focus to domestic and international social needs. The rise of the internet connected people to organizations that helped those in need faster than ever before. The National Service Trust, established by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, is a federal fund that AmeriCorps draws on to provide eligible members with education awards and to pay the interest on their qualified student loans while they serve in approved national service roles. The trust also handles enrollment, documentation, and disbursement of these educational benefits to alumni. The money is held in an account at the U.S. Treasury and invested in Treasury securities.
But the timing of this coin was poor; too many commemorative coins had been issued between 1995 and 1996, congressionally mandated surcharges, rising program costs, and perceived commercialization of U.S. coinage frustrated collectors. To remedy that situation, Congress passed reform legislation in 1996 that significantly restricted and regulated commemorative coin programs.
Design and Finish Details
The obverse design was inspired by an early medal design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens for the Women’s Auxiliary of the Massachusetts Civil Service Reform Association. It was skillfully adapted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Thomas D. Rogers. His design depicted a standing view of Miss Liberty, holding a book with the lamp of knowledge in her right hand and an American shield in her left. She is standing in front of a rising sun with rays emanating from it behind her. Above her is the phrase “LIBERTY,” and to the right is “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and to the left is “NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE.” Below that is the date “1996.”
The reverse has an olive wreath as its central vignette with “SERVICE FOR AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” inside the wreath. Around the outer periphery are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the denomination of “ONE DOLLAR.” The reverse was designed by William C. Cousins.
The 1996 National Community Service Commemorative Silver Dollar was struck in both uncirculated and proof versions at the San Francisco Mint, and both bear an “S” mintmark. 23,500 uncirculated coins were struck, while 101,453 proof coins were struck. The authorized maximum mintage was 500,000 coins.
These coins were sold individually, as a two-coin set, and as a single proof coin with an original 1940 United States Postal Service postage stamp of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, complete with a booklet of his major sculptural and engraving achievements. View more U.S. silver modern commemorative coins today.
