The American Innovation $1 Coin Reverse Proof Set featuring this year’s honorees will be available to the masses tomorrow beginning at 12pm EST. The set will retail at $28.00 from the United States Mint.
Struck at San Francisco, all four coins will feature a sharp relief and a mirror-like background with frosted foregrounds, creating the Reverse Proof finish we have come to know. Bearing the ‘S’ mintmark on the incused inscription along the edge, all the coins will be encapsulated in a protective clear plastic lens and be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity inside beautifully designed packaging.
Kicking off in 2018 with an introductory coin and following up with four coins per year in the following year, the multi-year series aims to honor innovation and innovators for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five United States territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands). Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi are the four honorees for this year’s coins.
Ohio
The reverse features two hands that are strongly grasped together with the upper arm pulling the lower arm upward, representing the support and strength that took place during the events of the Underground Railroad. A chain is also seen fastened to a shackle that is wrapped around the lower arm’s wrist. The chain is depicted as snapping and revealing its fragments, showcasing hope and freedom. Inscriptions included on the design are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “UNDERGROUND RAILROAD,” and “OHIO.”
Louisiana
The reverse depicts a Higgins Boat as it would have been deployed during World War II. A landing ramp is open against the beach, something innovative at the time. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “THE HIGGINS BOAT,” and “LOUISIANA” are seen inscribed along the top and bottom.
Indiana
A series of vehicles are seen on the reverse, showcasing the innovations from yesterday and today. They include an early style gas automobile representing classic car production and a recent model of an Indy style race car today. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “INDIANA” are also seen inscribed on the design.
Mississippi
The reverse design features a pair of human lungs in the background and a surgical assistant passing forceps to the surgeon during the first lung transplant surgery. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” FIRST HUMAN LUNG TRANSPLANT,” and “MISSISSIPPI” are also inscribed.
The obverse of the designs features a representation of the Statue of Liberty with “IN GOD WE TRUST” AND “$1” inscribed. It also features a privy mark in the shape of a stylized gear representing industry and innovation. The edge of the coins is incused featuring the year, mint mark and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
Source: United States Mint