The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial silver dollar is a commemorative coin issued by the
United States Mint in 2009.
Legislation
The Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act () authorized the production of a commemorative
silver dollar to commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, 16th
president of the United States, and one of the country's greatest leaders, guiding the nation through the tumultuous
American Civil War. 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 February 12, 2009, the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
Design
The obverse of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial commemorative dollar, designed by
Justin Kunz, depicts an image of President Lincoln, which was inspired by
Daniel Chester French
Daniel Chester French (April 20, 1850 – October 7, 1931) was an American sculptor of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, best known for his 1874 sculpture ''The Minute Man'' in Concord, Massachusetts, and his 1920 monume ...
's famous sculpture of the President that sits inside the
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is a U.S. national memorial built to honor the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument, and is in the ...
in
Washington. The reverse, designed 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 ...
, features the last 43 words of the
Gettysburg Address.
Specifications
* Display Box Color: Dark Blue
* Edge: Reeded
* Weight: 26.730 grams; 0.8594
troy ounce
* Diameter: 38.10 millimeters; 1.500 inches
* Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
See also
*
List of United States commemorative coins and medals (2000s)
*
United States commemorative coins
The United States Mint has minted numerous commemorative coins to commemorate persons, places, events, and institutions since 1848. Many of these coins are not intended for general circulation, but are still legal tender. The mint also produces c ...
References
2009 establishments in the United States
Abraham Lincoln on United States currency
Modern United States commemorative coins
United States dollar coins
United States silver coins
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