Post Your Coins Depicting Places!

1990 USSR 5 Roubles Y#241

The Grand Palace in Peterhof

Thanks, EV!

Fantastic coin jbuck

The ancient ruins of the city of Palmyra are depicted on the reverse.

1996 Syria 10 Pounds KM#124

Thank you, EV.

Very good, jbuck.

One of the most famous places in the United States ("US") is the US Capitol building in Washington, District of Columbia. It is also an internationally recognized symbol of Democracy.

Construction on the Capitol began on September 18, 1793; it hosted its first Congress in 1800. The architect/designer of the original structure was William Thorton.

The building has not been a static structure over its 230+ year history. Over its "lifetime," the US Capitol has been nearly completely destroyed (it was set on fire by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812), been rebuilt, undergone numerous expansions (1851-1867; 1958-1962; 2002-2008) and been subject to multiple restoration projects (1884-1892; 1983-1987; 2013-2016). Of course, it has had multiple architects over its history.

In 2001, the US Mint struck three commemorative coins to financially support the construction and maintenance of the Capitol Visitor Center. Two of the program's coins - the Silver Dollar and Clad Half Dollar - feature depictions of the Capitol building. Shown are the Capitol as it appeared in 1800 and the then-current view (circa 2001).

2001 Capitol Visitor Center Silver Dollar


2001 Capitol Visitor Center Clad Half Dollar


United States Capitol - circa 1800

(Image Source: History of the United States, Glenn Brown. Public Domain.)

United States Capitol - circa 2000

(Image Source: Architect of the Capitol. Public Domain.)


If you're interested in reading more about the history of the US Capitol, I suggest:

- Architect of the Capitol Web Site


For more about the Capitol Visitor Center coins, see:

- 2001 Capitol Visitor Center - The Coins