The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Commemorative Coin Act
In 1986, the centennial of the Statue of Liberty was going to be celebrated, and the U.S. Mint was tasked by Congress to create coins to commemorate this anniversary. Public Law 99-61, which was known as the “Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Commemorative Coin Act,” authorized the maximum mintages. 25,000,000 half dollar coins, 10,000,000 silver dollars, and 500,000 gold $5 coins were authorized. This set would comprise several firsts: the first copper-nickel clad half dollar commemorative and the first $5.00 gold commemorative coin in the numismatic history of America, as well as the first $5.00 gold coin since the 1929 Indian Head $5.00 Gold Coin.
Lady Liberty’s Symbolic Impact
The commemorative program proved highly profitable: sales generated more than $78 million, funding the restoration of both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Many Americans, themselves descendants of immigrants who first glimpsed the statue while entering New York Harbor, view Lady Liberty as a symbol of hope. Restoration work included fitting Lady Liberty with a new torch.
1986 Statue of Liberty Half Dollar
Edgar V. Steever designed the obverse of this coin. The central vignette is a large sun rising to highlight the Statue of Liberty, to the left. Lady Liberty is welcoming a steamer heading to Ellis Island, carrying immigrants yearning for the promise of America. In the background is the growing skyline of Manhattan circa 1913. Around the periphery of the obverse is inscribed “LIBERTY – IN GOD WE TRUST – 1986”.
Sherl J. Winter designed the reverse of the coin. It depicts on an immigrant family of four, with their meager belongings on the wharf, pointing towards and looking at thriving New York City across the harbor. There are two lines of text surrounding the periphery. The outer lines are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “HALF DOLLAR”. The inner lines of text are “A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM”.
1986 Statue of Liberty Silver Dollar
The dominant figure on the obverse is the Statue of Liberty facing the viewer with the Great Hall of Ellis Island in the background. Above Miss Liberty is emblazoned the word “LIBERTY” and below her is the date “1986”. To the right of her is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and to the left is “ELLIS ISLAND – GATEWAY TO AMERICA.”
The reverse displays Lady Liberty’s torch with rays emanating from it. Below the torch are the words of Emma Lazarus, penned back in 1883 “GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE” which are also inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. Underneath is the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and around the periphery are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
1986 Statue of Liberty Gold $5 Coin
Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Elizabeth Jones, designed the obverse and the reverse of the Statue of Liberty Gold $5 Coin. In this design, one can easily see Lady Liberty’s face and a portion of her crown of rays. Separated by rays are “1986” and the word “LIBERTY”.
The reverse depicts an eagle with wings upraised as it is about to land. The periphery has the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “FIVE DOLLARS” separated by 6 five-pointed stars on the left and 7 five-pointed stars to the right. The inner periphery has the mottoes “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM”.
Expand your collection today with the coins mentioned here and shop our other U.S. classic silver commemorative coins and modern U.S. gold commemorative coins.
