The 175th Anniversary of the U.S. Botanical Garden
The 175th Anniversary of the National Botanic Garden in Washington, DC actually took place in 1995, but this anniversary was commemorated on a Silver Dollar issued in 1997. While highly unusual, it is not unknown for a coin to be commemorated at a date after its actual anniversary.
The obverse of the coin depicts the façade of the Botanic Garden building, but it was depicted without the imposing greenhouse or any of its beautiful trees and landscaping, which was a shame for a coin honoring a place of natural plants and beauty.
Above the building, on the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY” and immediately below the building is the denomination “ONE DOLLAR” followed by the date of issue – “1997”. The “P” mintmark follows below, but just above the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” while “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” adorns the lower periphery. The obverse was designed by Edgar Z. Steever.
The central vignette on the reverse is a large single rose, but above it is a garland of roses and leaves encircling the top half of the reverse. Below the rose is “UNITED STATES – BOTANIC GARDEN – 1820-1995 – E PLURIBUS UNUM” on four lines. This side was designed by William C. Cousins.
Both Uncirculated and Proof coins were struck and sold and some of the Uncirculated coins were included in a “Coinage and Currency Set” that also included a Matte Finish 1997-P Jefferson Nickel and a $1.00 Federal Reserve Note. Only 25,000 of these sets were sold.
58,505 of the Uncirculated Silver Dollars were struck and 189,671 of the Proof versions were also struck. The original legislation authorized up to 500,000 Silver Dollars to be struck.
| Date | Mintmark | Denomination | Type | Mintage | Value |
| 1997 | P | One Dollar | Uncirculated | 58,505 | $45 |
| 1997 | P | One Dollar | Proof | 187,671 | $55 |
| 1997 | P | One Dollar, Nickel, $1 Dollar Bill | Special | 25,000 | $175 |
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