Commems Collection Modern: 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots - Young Collectors Edition

The 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots program consisted of just a Silver Dollar (SD) - no gold Half Eagle, no Half Dollar; it was available individually as a Proof and an Uncirculated coin, plus as part of a two-piece SD set, a Young Collectors Edition (YCE) set and a Coin and Stamp Set.. (See links below for my previous posts on the SD and the Coin and Stamp Set.

The obverse of the SD presents a three-quarters, right-facing portrait of Crispus Attucks; he is believed to be the first person to be killed at the "Boston Massacre" - a skirmish with British troops in Boston, MA - on March 5, 1770. The reverse depicts the original, planned Memorial statue (in a similar vein to the US 1936 Elgin, IL Centennial half dollar). (Note: The Memorial was never built; see the link below for more.)

1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Silver Dollar


The Black Patriots YCE set is one of just three US Mint sets designed for young collectors that features a silver dollar; the 1996 Smithsonian Institution 150th Anniversary set and the 2013 Girl Scouts Centennial set are the other two. The Black Patriots YCE set includes an Uncirculated SD. (Silver Dollars have also been included in some sets intended for older audiences; for example, the 1994 US Capitol Bicentennial - Architectural History Set and the 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots - Coin & Stamp Set - links below.)

As with the Young Collector sets that preceded it, the Black Patriots YCE includes a colorful outer slipcase and matching coin folder. Once again, a cartoon-themed illustration style was used for the set, with Jeremiah, Christina and Charlie the dog, back to lead the educational journey. This time out, they are joined by modern-era friends and modern Colonial-era reenactors to help them tell the story.

The front of the outer slipcase presents a modern-era African-American female dressed in colonial-era clothing sitting and reading to a group of children; she is reading from a "US History" book. The back of the slipcase presents the Uncirculated SD's Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications; the US Mint logo is also displayed.

The YCE set's educational content included on the panels of the coin folder focused on the role(s) Black Patriots played in the American Revolutionary War and places the designs selected for the obverse and reverse of the SD within the context of their contributions.

The Black Patriots YCE set sold just 9,062 units out of an announced maximum of 20,000; approximately 45%. Sales opened on February 13, 1998. The YCE set had a pre-issue discount price of $37.00 through April 4. After that, the set's regular price of $40.00 was effective.


1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Young Collectors Edition: Outer Sleeve - Front


1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Young Collectors Edition: Outer Sleeve - Back


1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Young Collectors Edition: Coin Folder - Front Cover Panel


The Front Panel of the coin folder duplicates the scene presented on the front of the slipcase, but with a hole cut out to reveal the obverse of the SD that is mounted within.

1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Young Collectors Edition: Coin Folder - Inside Front Cover Panel


The Inside Panel of the coin folder's Front Cover briefly introduces Black Patriots in the American Revolutionary War.

1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Young Collectors Edition: Coin Folder - Inside Flap - Front


The Front of the coin folder's Interior Flap introduces Crispus Attucks and presents the obverse of the Black Patriots SD; the coin is embedded in the flap.

1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Young Collectors Edition: Coin Folder - Inside Back Cover Panel


The Interior Panel of the Back Cover introduces the support of Black Patriots beyond those that fought in the War.

1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Young Collectors Edition: Coin Folder - Inside Flap - Back


The Back Panel of the coin folder's Interior Flap introduces the ongoing issue of slavery in America's post-Revolutionary War era.

1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Young Collectors Edition: Coin Folder - Back Cover Panel


The Back panel of the coin folder briefly discusses Salem Poor and Benjamin Banniker, two contemporaries of Crispus Attucks.


For more on the 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Silver Dollar program, and the issues with its associated, never-built memorial, see:

- 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots

For more on the 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots - Coin & Stamp Set, see:

- 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots - Coin & Stamp Set

For more on the 1994 US Capitol Bicentennial - Architectural History Set, see:

- 1994 US Capitol Bicentennial - Architecural History Set


For other of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Modern US Commemorative coin issues, see: Commems Collection.