Remembering Lewis and Clark’s Expedition 200 Years Ago
The Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition was celebrated in 2004. To commemorate the bravery of Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark, whose expedition led to the opening of the West all the way to the Pacific Ocean for future settlers, Congress authorized 2004 Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar coins to be struck in uncirculated and proof finishes. Additionally, two new reverse designs appeared on the 2004 Westward Journey nickels honoring the Corps of Discovery Expedition.
Design Details
Artist Donna Weaver designed the obverse and reverse of the commemorative 2004 Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar. The obverse of the coin depicts full-length, standing figures of Lewis and Clark, speaking, presumably planning their next day’s journey. Clark is the figure on the right, pointing into the distance, while Lewis holds his journal and a long rifle. Behind them is a riverbank, with a thick forest. The upper periphery has the word “LIBERTY” inscribed upon it, and below that is the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The dates 1804, 1806, and 2004 appear below the riverbank, marking the expedition’s start, finish, and the coin’s issue year.
The reverse of the 2004 Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar depicts the elements of the Peace Medal that was presented by Lewis and Clark to various Native American tribal leaders along their journey as a token of friendship and peace from President Thomas Jefferson. The Peace Medal occupies the center of the reverse, while the upper periphery has the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” across it, and seventeen five-pointed stars are below it, representing the number of states in the fledgling United States at the time of the expedition. On either side of the Peace Medal are large feathers, and below the Peace Medal is the denomination “ONE DOLLAR.” The bottom periphery has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on it.
(A 2004-P Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
The Philadelphia Mint struck the uncirculated and proof versions of the 2004 Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar. A maximum authorized mintage of 500,000 of all versions of the silver dollar was approved, and 142,015 of the uncirculated and 351,989 of the proof coins were sold.
(A 2004-P Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar, Proof, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
Special Sets
The coins were sold individually and as a two-coin set. In addition, two special sets involving the commemorative Silver Dollars were sold. One set included an uncirculated silver dollar, a silver-plated bronze Peace Medal replica, the two Westward Journey nickels, an uncirculated Sacagawea Dollar, a copy of the 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender note that depicted Lewis, Clark, and an American Bison, two informational booklets, and three 37-cent Lewis and Clark postage stamps. The second set included the proof version of the commemorative silver dollar and a handmade Native American leather pouch. Both special sets were limited to 50,000 units each.
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