With the review of the legal journey of the 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar completed, it's time to have a look at the coin that resulted.
If you haven't yet read the coin's path through the US Congress, you can check things out here:
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2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial - 105th Congress-
2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial - 106th CongressThe 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar (SD) was issued to help commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the Louisiana Territory and the Pacific Northwest; the Expedition took place from 1804 to 1806. The Expedition was commissioned by US President Thomas Jefferson with the aim of exploring and mapping the lands acquired via the Louisiana Purchase (from France), developing potential trade routes and initiating friendly relations with Native Americans across the region.
The obverse of the attractive silver dollar depicts the explorers standing together beside a stream/river; Lewis is seen pointing into the distance and Clark is depicted holding his rifle. A river bank and forest are seen in the background.
On the reverse is seen a pair of feathers meant to represent the Native Americans encountered during the L&C Expedition along with the reverse design of the "Indian Peace Medal" that was used during Thomas Jefferson's administration. The original silver medals were given to Native American chiefs and other important representatives by those representing the US Government as a token of friendship and peace. The 17 stars included on the reverse are symbolic of the 17 States that were part of the Union when the L&C Expedition launched in May 1804.
Note 1: The current States in the Union at launch of Expedition: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennesee, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Kentucky.Note 2: There were 15 States ultimately formed from the Louisiana Territory (in alphabetical order): Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, along with parts of Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar
The Lewis and Clark Silver Dollar obverse and reverse designs (and sculpted models) were the work of
Donna Weaver - a Designer within the Mint's Artistic Infusion Program. Ms. Weaver designed and/or sculpted over 90 coins and medals while working with the Mint; she retired in 2006.
The SD was available in Proof and Uncirculated, and was sold in a variety of packaging options: Individual coin,
Coin & Currency Set and Coin & Pouch Sets (subject of a future post)
The coin had a maximum authorized mintage of 500,000 across all options; it reached total sales of 494,004 units - 98.8% of coins available! The sales breakdown was as follows: Individual Proof: 284,884; Individual Uncirculated: 92,081; Coin & Currency Set (Uncirculated SD, 50,000 Limit): 49,934 (Sold out in six days!); Coin & Pouch Set (Proof SD, 50,000 Limit): 48,835 (Sell Out). An additional 18,270 Proof SDs were sold via Bulk Sales (e.g., purchased sans packaging for use in privately-produced souvenir packages/sets).
The Proof version had a Pre-Issue Price of $35.00 and a Regular Price of $39.00. The Uncirculated version was priced at $33.00 and $35.00, respectively. The Coin & Currency Set sold for $90 at the time of its issue; the Coin & Pouch Sets had an Issue Price of $120 ($80 assigned value for Pouch).
For me, the 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar checks the key boxes for me: Attractive Designs? - Yes!, Historically Accurate Designs? - Yes! and Nationally/Historically Significant? - Yes!
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 04/14/2025 09:53 am
