200th Anniversary of the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress celebrated the bicentennial of its founding in the year 2000 by having Congress authorize a Silver Dollar, to be struck in both Uncirculated and in Proof finishes and also the nation’s very first bi-metallic $10.00 Eagle coin struck of Gold and Platinum.
The obverse of the Silver Dollar coin was designed by Thomas D. Rogers. It depicts two books, one of which is open, and the spine of this book sits atop the lower, closed book. Behind the books is a large flaming torch, which represents the Torch of Learning. Below the books are the phrases “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” To the left of the torch is the date “1800” and to the right is the date “2000.” The upper periphery has “LIBRARY OF CONGRESS” across the upper periphery of the coin.
The reverse of the Silver Dollar depicts the stately done of the Library of Congress’ Jefferson Building. Above the dome is “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and the upper periphery has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” while the lower periphery has the denomination “ONE DOLLAR.” US Mint Engraver John Mercanti designed this reverse.
The Library of Congress Commemorative Silver Dollars were minted in both Uncirculated and Proof finishes and were both struck at the Philadelphia Mint, with each bearing a “P” mintmark. The maximum authorized mintage of these two versions of the Commemorative Silver Dollar was 500,000 coins between both options.
The Uncirculated coin sold 53,264 coins while the Proof version sold 198,503 coins. The coins were offered individually, as well as the two Uncirculated coins and the two Proof coins were offered together.
The Mint struck a coin for this bicentennial anniversary that they had never attempted before. The $10.00 Eagle Commemorative was the first bi-metallic coin that the Mint had ever struck. The coin was comprised of an outer ring of gold and an inner center of platinum and to date is still the only bi-metallic coin ever struck by them.
The obverse of the coin depicts the hand of the Goddess Minerva raising up the Torch of Learning. In the background, the dome of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building is visible. Next to the Torch is the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Around the gold ring is the words “LIBERTY,” LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,” and the date “2000.” The US Mint Engraver John Mercanti designed this obverse.
The reverse of this bi-metallic coin depicts the Seal of the Library of Congress inside the platinum center, surrounded by a laurel wreath, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” at the lower periphery. The reverse’s gold outer ring has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the denomination “TEN DOLLARS.” This reverse was designed by the Mint’s Thomas D. Rogers.
Public Law 105-268 authorized these coins, and they had a maximum authorized mintage of 200,000 coins. The surcharge went to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board for both versions of the Silver Dollar and both versions of the Bi-metallic Eagle coin.
The coins drew slight interest when originally offered with the Uncirculated version selling a mere 7,261 coins, while the Proof version sold 27,445 coins. But several years after the offering, they became popular due, in part, to their precious metal content and the unusual nature of being the only bi-metallic coin ever struck by the US Mint.
Date | Mintmark | Denomination | Type | Mintage | Value |
2000 | P | Silver Dollar | Uncirculated | 53,264 | $45 |
2000 | P | Silver Dollar | Proof | 198,503 | $45 |
2000 | P | Bi-Metallic Eagle | Uncirculated | 7,261 | $1,300 |
2000 | P | Bi-Metallic Eagle | Proof | 27,445 | $1,100 |
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