Celebrating the Desegregation of Little Rock Central High School
The Fiftieth Anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas was a highly significant step to further the Civil Rights Movement in America. The United States Congress determined that this semi-centennial should be observed by the authorization of a commemorative coin, the 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Commemorative Silver Dollar.
The desegregation of Little Rock Central High School is regarded as one of the most pivotal and symbolically powerful events of the American Civil Rights Movement. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Nine African American students were selected to integrate Central High School in September 1957. On September 2, 1957, Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to surround Central High School to prevent Black students from entering. On September 24, 1957, President Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard and deployed units of the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock to escort and protect the students.
The Little Rock Nine attended Central High under constant military protection. They faced institutional discrimination by staff and students, verbal abuse, physical intimidation, and social isolation. Eight of the nine completed the school year. One student, Minnijean Brown, was expelled after retaliating against harassment. Ernest Green became the first African American graduate of Central High School in May 1958.
Design Details
The obverse of the commemorative silver dollar was designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by the U. S. Mint’s Charles Vickers. It is unusual in that the center of the coin depicts the legs and feet of the “Little Rock Nine’” – the nine African American students who were the first to attend this all-white high school. The Little Rock Nine are accompanied by the legs and feet of a soldier in the 101st Airborne Division. Above these legs are nine five-pointed stars and on the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY.” Below the feet are the words “DESEGREGATION IN EDUCATION 2007” on three lines and the lower periphery has the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
The reverse was designed and sculpted by Don Everhart and depicts the Little Rock Central High School building as it appeared in 1957. The upper periphery has the denomination – “ONE DOLLAR” at the top and the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” beneath that. Below the building and the grounds shown are the words “LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL” with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” graces the lower periphery.
The coin was struck in both uncirculated and proof finishes and both versions were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Congress had authorized those 500,000 coins, across both finishes would be the maximum authorized allowed. The coins were sold individually, and the Uncirculated Silver Dollar was paired with a bronze medal, while the Proof Silver Dollar was included in the 2007 American Legacy Proof Set. Discover these products and more in the U.S. silver modern commemorative coin collection.
(A 2007-P Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Silver Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
(A 2007-P Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Silver Dollar, Proof, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
