Commems Collection Modern: 2001 Capitol Visitor Center / The Coins

Continuing the Capitol Visitor Center coin discussion...


The 2001 Capitol Visitor Center coin program included a Gold Half Eagle, a Silver Dollar and a Copper-Nickel ("CuNI") Clad Half Dollar. The Program included a Collector's Set that featured the Clad Half Dollar. (You can read about the Collector's Set here.)

Note: The Gold Half Eagle was struck vs. the Bi-Metallic (Gold and Platinum $10 coin. The Mint preferred the "simple" and "familiar" process of striking Gold Half Eagles vs. the more complex steps required by a precious-metal Bi-Metallic Collector Coin.

As is my standard procedure, I added examples of the Uncirculated versions of each coin to my collection.

Gold Half Eagle



The fairly simple obverse design of the Gold Half Eagle presents a Corinthian column at right with the commemorative inscription "1900 FIRST CONVENING OF CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON" to its left (viewer's perspective).

From the web site of the Architect of the Capitol:

"[Corinthian columns] are distinguished by bell-shaped capital with volutes, two rows of acanthus leaves and an elaborate cornice. In many instances, the column is fluted.

"Columns in this style can be found inside and outside of the buildings on Capitol Hill, including the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court Building, the Russell Senate Office Building, the Cannon House Office Building and the Library of Congress."

The reverse of the coin shows the US Capitol building circa 1800. (It's a far less impressive building vs. today!)

The coins were available standalone in standard packaging, standalone in a simple cardboard mailer and in a three-piece Proof Set.

Of the 100,000 Gold Half Eagles authorized, 34,413 (~34.4%) were sold/distributed across all options (27,652 Proof, 6,761 Uncirculated. The coin went on sale to the public on February 28, 2001.

The program's Pre-Issue/Introductory price for the standalone Gold Half Eagle was $195.00 in standard packaging ($177 in an unadorned cardboard mailer) for the Proof version and $180 ($175) for the Uncirculated version. Regular prices became effective on April 21, 2001 with the Proof coin prices then set at $225 ($207) and the Unicirculated version at $205 ($200).

Elizabeth Jones, the future Chief Sculptor/Engraver of the US Mint designed the coin; US Mint Medallic Artist Thomas J. Ferrell was the sculptor of the coin's obverse.


Silver Dollar



The Silver Dollar's obverse depicts a "Then-and-Now" theme with a circa 1800 US Capitol in the foreground and a circa 2000 US Capitol in the background.

The reverse presents a Heraldic Bald Eagle wrapped in a ribbon inscribed with "U. S. CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER".

500,000 Capitol Visitor Center Silver Dollars were authorized, but just 179,173 (~35.8%) were sold/distributed (143,793 Proof, 35,380 Uncirculated). As with the Gold Half Eagle, the Silver Dollar went on sale to the public on February 28, 2001.

The Pre-Issue/Introductory price was $33.00 for the Proof version ($29.00 in cardboard mailer) and $30.00 ($27.00) for the Uncirculated version. When Regular prices became effective, the Proof coin price increased to $37.00 ($33.00) and the Uncirculated version to $32.00 ($29.00).

Outside artist Marika Somogyi designed the obverse. Future US Mint Chief Engaver John Mercanti designed the reverse and sculpted both sides.


Clad Half Dollar



The Half Dollar's obverse features a ring of 50 stars (representing the current 50 US States) that encircle a depiction of the original circa 1800 US Capitol overlaid on a textured outline of the circa 2000 US Capitol - another "Then-and-Now" design. In the foreground is seen a horse-drawn carriage.

The coin's reverse features another circle of stars, this time 16, representing the 16 States that existed in 1800. Within the circle of stars is found a series of commemorative inscriptions: 1800, 6th CONGRESS, SENATE / 32 SENATORS, HOUSE / 106 MEMBERS.

The Capitol Visitor Center Coin Act authorized 750,000 Clad Half Dollars. The final mintage of the denomination was 177,119 (~23.6%) were sold/distributed (77,962 Proof, 99,157 Uncirculated). The Clad Half Dollar went on sale to the public on February 28, 2001, the same date as the other coins of the program.

The Pre-Issue/Introductory price was $11.25 for the Proof version ($10.75 in cardboard mailer) and $8.75 ($7.75) for the Uncirculated version. Regular prices became effective at COB on April 20, 2001 with the Proof coin price increased to $12.00 ($11.50) and the Uncirculated version to $9.75 ($8.75).

The Clad Half Dollar had a wide range of options:

- Standalone Proof coins, with and without packaging
- Standalone Uncirculated coins, with and without packaging
- Bulk Uncirculated (Packs of 100 or 945 coins)
- Collector's Set with Uncirculated Half Dollar (see link above)

The multiple packaging options available explain the atypical result of the Uncirculated coins outselling the Proof version.


If you're interested in the 2001 Capitol Visitor Center coin program's journey through Congress, check out:

- Commems Collection Modern: 2001 Capitol Visitor Center - The Journey / Part I

- Commems Collection Modern: 2001 Capitol Visitor Center - The Journey / Part II


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Modern Commemorative stories, see: Commems Collection