USA Yellowstone Dollar 1999
USA, Philadelphia
Rarity
Rare
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 1 dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 299 |
| Mintage | 82,563 |
| Metal | Silver 0.900 |
| thickness | 2.7 mm |
| diameter | 38.1 mm |
| weight | 26.73 g |
Obverse:
Animals
Creators:
Edgar Z. Steever (EZS)
E PLURIBUS UNUM
ONE DOLLAR
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Reverse:
Nature
Creators:
William Cousins (WC)
1999
IN GOD WE TRUST
LIBERTY
YELLOWSTONE
Introduction of Coins
This silver dollar was intended to mark the 125th anniversary of the 1872 establishment of Yellowstone and the USA’s first national park. Of course, this anniversary took place in 1997, but Congress’ self-imposed limit of two commemorative programs per year delayed the striking of these coins until 1999. Perhaps the two-year delay was too awkward for the coin’s backers to acknowledge, as there is no reference to this anniversary on the coin as issued. Authorized under the broad coinage law of October 29, 1996, the Yellowstone Silver Dollar had the now familiar mintage cap of 500,000 pieces. Proceeds from surcharges included within the sales price were split between Yellowstone National Parks and the other parks within the national system via the National Parks Foundation. Both sides of this coin were designed by members of the U. S. Mint’s staff of sculptor-engravers. Edgar Z. Steever, IV drew and sculpted the obverse, which features a spouting geyser against a typical Yellowstone landscape. The simple inscription “YELLOWSTONE” appears above this landscape, with the date below it. The coin’s mintmark is placed near the border at five o’clock, while the artist’s initials are seen below the landscape at left. Statutory mottoes complete this side. The reverse by William Cousins displays imagery adapted from the seal of the U. S. Department of the Interior. A bison stands in left profile upon a plain, while behind it a radiant sun is partially obscured by a mountainous landscape. These elements are encircled, with statutory legends placed both within and outside this circle. The Yellowstone Silver Dollar is one of the more uninspiring entries in the modern commemorative series. Though any coin featuring a bison will appeal to some collectors, the balance of its design is mediocre. Perhaps its most notable flaw is that the geyser appears at first glance to be a giant fist emerging from the ground. It’s likely that this dramatic element looked much better on paper and simply didn’t transfer well to bas relief. The Philadelphia Mint was assigned the task of producing both uncirculated and proof strikings of this silver dollar. The coins were offered for sale for a period of one year, from July 16, 1999 to July 15, 2000. Sales were typical of commemorative coins during this period, with the overall total being modest and proofs outselling uncirculated pieces by more than five to one.Read More
