American Innovation dollars

American Innovation dollars are a series of non-circulating legal tender dollar coins issued by the United States Mint from 2018 through 2032. Authorized by the American Innovation $1 Coin Act, the program honors an innovation or innovator from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. Each year, up to four new reverse designs are released, featuring significant contributions from fields such as science, technology, agriculture, and culture.

History and authorization

The program was established by the American Innovation $1 Coin Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 20, 2018. The legislation was championed by members of Congress including Senator John Boozman and Representative James P. McGovern, who sought a coin series to celebrate American ingenuity. The act built upon the precedent of other commemorative coin programs like the 50 State quarters and the National Park Service quarters. Its authorization followed the conclusion of the Presidential $1 Coin Program in 2016, providing a new multi-year numismatic initiative for the United States Mint. The series officially launched in 2018 with an introductory coin featuring a signature of George Washington, whose portrait by Laura Gardin Fraser adheres to the obverse.

Design and specifications

The obverse of every coin features a portrait of George Washington, a design originally created by sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser for the 1932 Washington quarter but not used at that time. The reverse designs, which change annually, are emblematic of innovations or innovators from each jurisdiction; examples include the first flight for North Carolina, the Integrated circuit for Texas, and the Internet for California. Each coin is struck in a manganese-brass composition identical to the Sacagawea dollar and has a mass of 8.1 grams and a diameter of 26.49 mm. The edge of the coin is lettered with the year of minting, mint mark, and the motto E pluribus unum, a feature carried over from the Presidential dollar coins.

Minting and issuance

Coins are minted at the Philadelphia Mint, Denver Mint, San Francisco Mint, and West Point Mint, with mint marks P, D, S, and W respectively. They are issued in annual sets of up to four new designs, following the order of a state or territory's entry into the Union or its establishment. The first coins, for Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia, were released in late 2018 and 2019. The United States Mint offers the coins in products such as proof sets, uncirculated rolls, and silver bullion versions struck at the West Point Mint. Issuance is scheduled to continue through 2032, concluding with the final territory coin.

Collecting and market

As non-circulating legal tender, these dollars are primarily targeted at collectors and are sold directly by the United States Mint through its catalog and authorized distributors. The market for them exists within the broader numismatic community, alongside series like the America the Beautiful quarters. Collector interest often focuses on the annual proof sets from the San Francisco Mint and the limited-edition bullion coins. While not intended for general commerce, their legal tender status means they can be used in transactions, similar to the Native American dollar coins. The long-term numismatic value will likely be influenced by mintage figures and the historical significance of the innovations depicted.

Related programs and series

The American Innovation dollars are part of a tradition of U.S. multi-issue commemorative coin programs that educate the public about national heritage. It directly follows the Presidential dollar coins and runs concurrently with the America the Beautiful quarters. Other related congressional authorizations include the 2009 Lincoln bicentennial cents and the World War II Memorial silver dollar. The program's structure of honoring each state and territory is conceptually similar to the 50 State quarters initiative launched by the United States Department of the Treasury in 1999.

Category:Coins of the United States Category:2018 introductions