Jefferson’s Sestercentennial & a Coin & Currency Set
Congress authorized legislation to issue a commemorative Silver Dollar honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Thomas Jefferson. The legislation only authorized a Silver Dollar coin to be struck with a maximum authorized mintage of 600,000 pieces. This is a rare instance in which the maximum authorized mintage was actually struck and sold.
Both the obverse and reverse of the coin were designed by T. James Ferrell. The obverse depicts a profile bust of Jefferson facing left. It was based on an 1805 oil portrait by Gilbert Stuart, most well-known for his portrait of Washington. The Stuart portrait is considered one of the most accurate portraits of Jefferson known. Above Jefferson is “THOMAS JEFFERSON – ARCHITECT OF DEMOCRACY” and behind his head is “IN GOD WE TRUST.” On either side of his bust are “1743” and “1993.” On the lower periphery is the word “LIBERTY”.
The reverse of the coin has a view of Jefferson’s home, Monticello, in Virginia, as its main vignette, along with trees and shrubbery. Above the building is “MONTICELLO” while below it is “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The upper periphery has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” while the lower periphery has the denomination – “ONE DOLLAR”.
The Uncirculated version was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and bears a “P” mintmark, while the Proof version was struck at the San Francisco Mint and bears an “S” mintmark. Between the two versions, all 600,000 coins were struck.
The surcharges raised by the sale of the coins went to preserving Jefferson’s main home, Monticello, in Virginia as well as having a portion went to preserving his retreat home in Poplar F
For the first time ever, the US Mint offered a special Coin & Currency Set. The set contained an Uncirculated Jefferson Silver Dollar, a 1994 Jefferson Nickel, struck in a special Matte Proof finish and a Crisp Uncirculated $2 Federal Reserve Note depicting Jefferson. This was in addition to individual sales of the Uncirculated and Proof Silver Dollars as well as a combined two-coin set.
| Date | Mintmark | Denomination | Type | Mintage | Value |
| 1993 | P | Silver Dollar | Uncirculated | 266,927 | $40 |
| 1993 | S | Silver Dollar | Proof | 332,891 | $45 |
| 1994 | P | Coin & Currency | Unc & Proof | 167,703 | $75 |
Those looking to collect more coins featuring Thomas Jefferson might be interested in coins such as Jefferson Nickels. The 1964-D coins, for example, are a super affordable addition to anyone’s collection and a fantastic way to get started collecting this coin series.
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