The Christa McAuliffe silver dollar is a

commemorative coin Commemorative coins are coins issued to commemorate some particular event or issue with a distinct design with reference to the occasion on which they were issued. Many coins of this category serve as collectors items only, although some countries ...

which was issued by the

United States Mint The United States Mint is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce, as well as controlling the movement of bullion. It does not produce paper money; tha ...

in 2021.

Legislation

The Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2019 () authorized the production of a commemorative silver dollar to commemorate the life of

Christa McAuliffe Sharon Christa McAuliffe ( Corrigan; September 2, 1948 – January 28, 1986) was an American teacher and astronaut from Concord, New Hampshire, who was killed on the Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' on mission STS-51-L where she was serving as a ...

, a former social studies teacher who in 1985, was chosen to be the first participant in the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research. NASA was established in 1958, succeeding th ...

’s Teacher in Space program. On January 28, 1986, McAuliffe and six astronauts were tragically killed when Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' exploded after launch. The act allowed the coins to be struck in both

proof Proof most often refers to: * Proof (truth), argument or sufficient evidence for the truth of a proposition * Alcohol proof, a measure of an alcoholic drink's strength Proof may also refer to: Mathematics and formal logic * Formal proof, a con ...

and uncirculated finishes. The coin was first released on January 28, 2021, the 35th anniversary of the disaster.

Design

The obverse of the Christa McAuliffe commemorative dollar, designed by Laurie J. Musser and sculpted by

Phebe Hemphill Phebe Hemphill (born April 25, 1960) is an American sculptor who works for the United States Mint. She has been called "one of the preeminent coin artists, sculptors, and engravers of our time." Early life and education Hemphill was born April ...

, depicts a portrait of Christa McAuliffe with a hopeful gaze. The reverse, designed by

Emily Damstra Emily may refer to: * Emily (given name), including a list of people with the name Music * "Emily" (1964 song), title song by Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer to the film ''The Americanization of Emily'' * "Emily" (Dave Koz song), a 1990 song ...

and sculpted by

Joseph Menna Joseph Francis Menna (born March 1970) is an American sculptor and engraver who has worked in both digital and traditional sculpture media. He has been the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint since February, 2019. Biography Menna trained form ...

, depicts McAuliffe as a teacher, smiling as she points forward and upward, symbolizing the future while three high school-age students look on with wonder. Seven stars above them pay tribute to those who perished in the ''Challenger'' tragedy. The logo of the FIRST (

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (''FIRST'') is an international youth organization that operates the ''FIRST'' Robotics Competition, ''FIRST'' LEGO League Challenge, ''FIRST'' LEGO League Explore, ''FIRST'' LEGO Leagu ...

) organization is also included.

Specifications

* Display Box Color: Black with artwork on the slipcover * Edge: Reeded * Weight: 26.730 grams; 0.86

troy ounce Troy weight is a system of units of mass that originated in 15th-century England, and is primarily used in the precious metals industry. The troy weight units are the grain, the pennyweight (24 grains), the troy ounce (20 pennyweights), and the ...

* Diameter: 38.10 millimeters; 1.500 inches * Composition: 99.9% Silver

References

{{US commemorative coinage (2020s) Modern United States commemorative coins 2021 works

Legislation

Design

Specifications

See also

References