Washington, D.C. — The United States Mint today releases a new commemorative silver dollar commemorating the United States Botanic Garden, a living museum of flowers and plants established in Washington, D.C., by the founding fathers.
The United States Botanic Garden Silver Dollar celebrates the vision of our founding fathers including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, realized when President James Monroe signed legislation in 1820 that led to the creation of what is now the oldest continually operating botanic garden in the nation.
The coin’s obverse design, by U.S. Mint Sculptor/Engraver Edgar Z. Steever, depicts the French facade of the U.S. Botanic Garden, and the reverse design, by U.S. Mint Sculptor/Engraver William C. Cousins, features a rose, America’s national flower.
Public Law 103–328, signed by President Clinton, on September 29, 1994, calls for minting of not more than 500,000 ninety percent silver coins. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the coins will go to the National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden to fund the National Garden in Washington, D.C.
Of special interest to collectors, the U.S. Botanic Garden Commemorative Silver Dollar will be included in the last Prestige Set that the U.S. Mint will offer, with a limited edition of 80,000 sets.
The Mint will also offer a limited edition of 25,000 U.S. Botanic Garden Coinage & Currency Sets, by mail order only, for the pre–issue price of $36 through April 4, and for $41 thereafter. The set features the uncirculated Botanic Garden silver dollar, an uncirculated 1997 Jefferson Nickel, a current George Washington one–dollar note with a Virginia Federal Reserve Bank seal, and a booklet detailing the history of the Garden and the role our founding fathers played in establishing it in Washington, D.C.
To order the Proof ($33) or Uncirculated ($30) U.S. Botanic Garden Silver Dollar or the limited edition Prestige Set ($44) at pre–issue prices, please call 1–800–MINT–USA by April 4. Thereafter regular prices for the Proof ($37) and Uncirculated ($32) silver dollar, the Prestige Set ($48) and Coinage &Currency Set ($41) are in effect. The Mint reserves the right to limit quantities and may discontinue accepting orders at any time.