Coin Type – Civil Rights Act of 1964 – 2014

With the 50^th Anniversary of the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act approaching in 2014, Congress authorized a commemorative silver dollar to honor that anniversary. The Congress of the United States wanted a coin that was emblematic of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the impact that it had on our country. While there was much discussion as to whether a coin depicting a protest would accurately depict the effort to ensure civil rights for all Americans, the final approved design did portray a peaceful protest.  

The obverse designer was Justin Kunz and the US Mint’s Phebe Hemphill did the engraving. The central vignette displays three people – one man and two women – all holding hands and marching forward, facing to the right. The man is holding a sign that states “WE SHALL OVERCOME,” which truly was the theme. Above them, on the upper periphery was the word LIBERTY.” Beneath the figures on the lower periphery is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and behind them is the date of striking “2014.”  

The reverse was designed by Donna Weaver and engraved by Jim Licaretz. It depicts three large flames coming out of a torch. The flames represent freedom of education, freedom to vote, and freedom to control one’s own destiny. These flames were inspired by a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, the man who was recognized worldwide as the voice of peaceful protests for equal rights for all Americans. In the left field, behind the flames, is inscribed “SIGNED INTO LAW JULY 2, 1964,” and in the right field, in front of the flames is “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and the denomination, “ONE DOLLAR.” Around the outer ring of the periphery is “CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” 

(A 2014-P Civil Rights Act of 1964 Silver Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].) 

The Uncirculated version of the Silver Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and a Proof version was also struck at that same facility. The Congress of the United States had authorized a maximum mintage of 350,000 coins to be struck across both finishes.  

(A 2014-P Civil Rights Act of 1964 Silver Dollar, Proof, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].) 

The Uncirculated version sold 24,720 coins while the Proof version sold 61,992 coins.  This issue was overshadowed by the incredibly popular and fairly unique Baseball Hall of Fame issue of a 3-coin concave coin set.