Celebrating Jefferson’s Birthday
Congress authorized legislation to issue a commemorative silver dollar honoring Thomas Jefferson’s 250th birthday. The legislation only authorized the 1993 Thomas Jefferson 250th Anniversary Silver Dollar to be struck with a maximum authorized mintage of 600,000. This is a rare instance in which the maximum authorized mintage was actually struck and sold.
Thomas Jefferson was best known for authoring the Declaration of Independence, serving as the third President of the United States, and founding the University of Virginia. Through his writings and ideas, he influenced American political philosophy, and advocated for religious freedom, freedom of speech, and states rights. He was the U.S. Minister to France from 1784 to 1789, and was present for the French Revolution before he came back the United States of America to become the first Secretary of State.
Design Details
Both the obverse and reverse of the coin were designed by T. James Ferrell. The obverse depicts a profile bust of Jefferson facing left. It was based on a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, most well-known for his portrait of Washington. Jefferson’s portrait created by Stuart is considered one of the most accurate portraits of Jefferson known. Above Jefferson is “THOMAS JEFFERSON – ARCHITECT OF DEMOCRACY” and behind his head is “IN GOD WE TRUST.” On either side of his bust are “1743” and “1993.” On the lower periphery is the word “LIBERTY”.
The reverse of the coin has a view of Jefferson’s home, Monticello, along with trees and shrubbery surrounding his home. Above the building is “MONTICELLO” while below it is “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The upper periphery has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” while the lower periphery has the denomination – “ONE DOLLAR”.
The uncirculated version was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and bears a “P” mintmark, while the proof version was struck at the San Francisco Mint and bears an “S” mintmark. Between the two versions, all 600,000 coins were struck. All coins were issued in 1994.
Upkeeping Jefferson’s Home and Poplar Forrest
Public Law 103-186 directs that surcharges from coin sales be paid to the Jefferson Endowment Fund. Proceeds from the first 500,000 coins must establish and maintain an endowment that permanently supports Monticello’s upkeep and furnishings and funds the fund’s educational initiatives, including the International Center for Jefferson Studies. Surcharges from all additional coins go to the Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest for the restoration and maintenance of Poplar Forest.
For the first time ever, the U.S. Mint offered a special Coin & Currency Set. The set contained an uncirculated silver dollar, a 1994 Jefferson Nickel that was struck in a special Matte Proof finish, and an uncirculated $2 Federal Reserve Note. This was in addition to individual sales of the uncirculated and proof silver dollars as well as a combined two-coin set.
Those looking to collect more coins featuring Thomas Jefferson might be interested in coins such as Jefferson Nickels. Invest in the historic significance of commemorative silver as you expand your collection of U.S. silver modern commemorative coins.
