The United States Mint has officially announced the designs and states honored for the upcoming 2025 American Innovation $1 Coins. The first state, Arkansas, has already been released in rolls and bags from Philadelphia and Denver. Michigan and Florida are currently slated for the Spring while Texas is slated for a summer release.
Beginning in 2018 with an introductory coin and following up with four coins per 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). This year, the four states being honored are Arkansas, Michigan, Florida, and Texas.
Arkansas
The Arkansas reverse design honors Raye Montague, the designer of the United States Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate. The grid pattern over top of the sea showcases the engineering and drafting techniques she digitized to accomplish her design on a computer. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ARKANSAS, and RAYE MONTAGUE are inscribed.
Designer: Elana Hagler, Artistic Infusion Program Designer
Sculptor: Eric David Custer, U.S. Mint Medallic Artist
Michigan
A team of auto workers are featured in a 1930s-era assembly line as they are seen lowering an automobile cab into place on the reverse design. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MICHIGAN, and AUTO ASSEMBLY LINE are inscribed.
Designer: Ron Sanders, Artistic Infusion Program Designer
Sculptor: John P. McGraw, Mint Medallic Artist
Florida
An image of a NASA Space Shuttle during liftoff from Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center is the focus of this design. Smoke from the solid rocket boosters is seen filling the lower edges of the coin with stars featured in the background. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FLORIDA are inscribed.
Designer: Ron Sanders, Artistic Infusion Program Designer
Sculptor: Eric David Custer, Mint Medallic Artist
Texas
This design depicts an American astronaut during a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The image itself symbolizes the pinnacle of support given by the Mission Control Center for NASA’s human space program in terms of economic, logistical, and intellectual backing. The design also celebrates the support of its astronauts from several different countries that take part in the International Space Station program. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FLORIDA are inscribed.
Designer: Ron Sanders, Artistic Infusion Program Designer
Sculptor: John P. McGraw, Mint Medallic Artist
Source: United States Mint