United States | |
| Value | 1U.S. Dollar |
|---|---|
| Mass | 26.730 g |
| Diameter | 38.1 mm |
| Thickness | 2.58 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Composition | 90%Ag / 10%Cu |
| Years of minting | 2004 (2004) |
| Mintage | 92,150 Uncirculated 211,055 Proof |
| Mint marks | P |
| Obverse | |
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| Designer | Donna Weaver |
| Design date | 2004 |
| Design | Portrait ofThomas Edison holding alight bulb |
| Reverse | |
.png) | |
| Design | Edison's 1879 light bulb with arcs surrounding |
| Designer | John Mercanti |
| Design date | 2004 |
TheThomas Alva Edison silver dollar is a commemorative silver dollar issued by theUnited States Mint in 2004.[1] It portrays American inventorThomas Edison and was issued to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the invention of thelight bulb by Edison.
The Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative Coin Act (Pub. L. 105–331 (text)(PDF)) was introduced in theHouse of Representatives byPaul Gillmor of Ohio on February 11, 1997.[2] Earlier proposals were submitted to commemorate 150th anniversary of Edison's February 11, 1847 birth in a prior Congress but were not passed.[3] The bill would pass the House the following year on September 9, 1998, and was passed by theSenate on October 7, 1998. PresidentBill Clinton signed the bill into law on October 31, 1998.[2] The law authorized the production of asilver dollar to commemorate the life of Edison and the 125th anniversary of the invention of thelight bulb in 2004. The act allowed the coins to be struck in bothproof anduncirculated finishes, and stated that no more than 500,000 coins would be minted.[4]
The obverse of the coin, designed byDonna Weaver, features a portrait of Edison holding an early experimentallight bulb in his laboratory. The reverse, designed byJohn Mercanti, features a rendering of Edison's first light bulb.[1]
The coins went on sale on February 11, 2004. A small discount was offered to those who purchased the coins prior to March 26.[3] Uncirculated coins were sold for $33 andproof coins were sold for $37; the uncirculated coins were sold in various packaging. A $10 surcharge was included in the price, with the proceeds being split between eight different organizations. Among those organizations were theEdison Institute, theEdison Plaza Museum, and theNational Park Service.[4] Mintage totaled 92,150 for uncirculated coins and 211,055 for proof sets for a total of 303,205 coins minted.[5] Although sales fell short of the 500,000 coins authorized, the dollar was received well by coin collectors.[3]
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