Coins That Honor America’s Attic
The Smithsonian, also lovingly called “America’s Attic”, in Washington, DC, houses the greatest collection of American historical and cultural artifacts known to man. The Smithsonian was established in 1846 through a generous gift to the American government funded by the will of a scientist named James Smithson. When Congress decided to honor this anniversary, the Smithsonian already held more than one million artifacts and rarities in the National Collection. For the 150th anniversary, Congress authorized the minting of two commemorative coins: the Smithsonian 150th Anniversary Silver Dollar and the Smithsonian 150th Anniversary Gold $5 Coin.
1996 Smithsonian 150th Anniversary Silver Dollar
The obverse of the silver dollar coin was designed by Mint Engraver Thomas D. Rogers, Sr. It beautifully depicts the first building of the Smithsonian Institution’s facility, known as the “Castle,” located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. On either side of the building are laurel wreaths with the phrase “LIBERTY” at the upper periphery and with “IN GOD WE TRUST” just below it. Below the depiction of the building is the word “SMITHSONIAN” and below that are the dates “1846-1996”.
The reverse of the coin depicts an allegorical goddess seated atop a world globe. She holds a torch of knowledge in her left hand and a scroll in her right with the words “ART, HISTORY, AND SCIENCE” on it. She is facing right, and in front of her are the words “FOR THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.” On the upper periphery is the standard “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” while below her are the phrases “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and the denomination “ONE DOLLAR” graces the lower periphery.
The uncirculated version of this coin was struck at the Denver Mint, and the coins have a “D” mintmark on them.
The proof version of the coin was minted in Philadelphia and bears a “P” mintmark.
1996 Smithsonian 150th Anniversary Gold $5 Coin
The obverse of the coin has a bust of James Smithson facing left. This obverse design was created by Alfred Maletsky. Above his bust, on the upper periphery, is the phrase “FOR THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE” with his name “JAMES SMITHSON” directly under the bust. In front of the bust are the dates “1846 – 1996,” and behind it is the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The word “LIBERTY” adorns the lower periphery of the obverse.
The central design is the Smithsonian sunburst logo with the name “SMITHSONIAN” below it, all contained in a central ring. The outer periphery of the coin has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” at the top and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and the denomination “FIVE DOLLARS” on the lower periphery. The design elements are raised and frosted, and the sunburst is recessed and mirrored for an artistic effect.
Both the uncirculated and proof versions were struck at the West Point minting facility. The maximum authorized mintage was 100,000 coins of either type. The coins were sold individually, as a two-coin silver set containing an uncirculated and proof silver dollar, a two-coin proof set of the silver dollar, a $5 gold coin, and a four-piece set of both uncirculated and proof versions of both coins. Start or continue your numismatic journey with our handpicked selection of U.S. classic silver commemorative coins and modern U.S. gold commemorative coins.
