2004
1879 saw the invention of the light bulb at the hands of Thomas Edison. 2004 brought about the minting of a commemorative coin which honored Edison. The coin was 90% silver and 10% copper, and featured an artist’s view of Edison in his laboratory and an image of the early light bulb on the obverse. The reverse has a singular picture of the light bulb with a commemoration of its 125th anniversary above. It is marked also with the years 1879-2004. (500,000 minted)
Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clarke led over 35 men with the help of a young woman belonging to the Shoshone nation (Sacajawea) across the country. They began the long journey of the many miles west as the Unites States was expanding in 1803. This event was honored on it’s 200th anniversary with a silver one dollar coin. The obverse has an image of Lewis and Clarke next to a stream as they plan the next destination. The reverse has an engraving of two feathers alongside a rendering of the Jefferson Peace Medal and the seventeen stars for the states in the Union at the time. (500,000 minted)
2005
The 230th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps was honored with a silver dollar coin. It began with a couple of battalions of Marines in 1775, and they have served proudly ever since. They are commemorated with an image of the raising of the flag in Iwo Jima on the obverse and an eagle atop a globe that is surrounded by an anchor graces the reverse. (600,000 minted)
One of the earliest and longest serving Chief Justices of the Supreme Court was John Marshall. The system of the Supreme Court speaking as one voice rather than individual opinions was set in place by Marshall. 250 years after he was born, the United States Mint honored him with a commemorative silver dollar coin. The obverse shows a profile image of Chief Justice Marshall, while the reverse shows the original Supreme Court Chamber. (400,000 minted)
Written by Angela Sangster, Copyright 2010 CoinCollectorGuide.com