The Louis Braille Bicentennial silver dollar is a commemorative coin 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 2009.

Legislation

The Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act () authorized the production of a commemorative silver dollar to commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of

Louis Braille Louis Braille (; ; 4 January 1809 – 6 January 1852) was a French educator and the inventor of a reading and writing system, named braille after him, intended for use by visually impaired people. His system is used worldwide and remains virtua ...

. The act allowed the coins to be struck in both proof and uncirculated finishes. The coin was first released on March 26, 2009.

Design

The obverse of the Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy commemorative dollar, designed by

Joel Iskowitz Joel Iskowitz (born August 15, 1946) is an American designer, book illustrator, print artist and stamp, coin and medal designer. From an initial interest in medical illustration, this graphic artist has branched to other fields. He specializes in ...

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 ...

, features a portrait of Louis Braille. The reverse, designed by Susan Gamble 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 ...

, shows a child reading a book in Braille below the letters ⠃⠗⠇(BRL, the abbreviation for Braille) in Braille code.

Specifications

* Display Box Color: Dark Blue * Edge: Reeded * Weight: 26.730 grams; 0.8594

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 th ...

* Diameter: 38.10 millimeters; 1.500 inches * Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

References

Modern United States commemorative coins United States silver coins United States dollar coins 2009 establishments in the United States {{US commemorative coinage (2000s)

Legislation

Design

Specifications

See also

References