Washington, D.C. — The United States Mint today announced the sellout of the U.S. Botanic Garden Coinage &Currency Set in its limited edition of 25,000 sets. The sellout, anticipated by the Mint and collectors alike, was registered within the first week of the pre–issue discount period.
“We are delighted that our collectors greeted the Coinage &Currency Set so enthusiastically,” said Mint Director Philip N. Diehl. “Based on a complete review of orders received through February 28, we determined that a limit of five sets per customer was the appropriate level to strike a balance between the heavy demand for the product and our desire to satisfy as many collectors as possible who wanted the set.”
The Mint estimates that the average number of Coinage &Currency Sets fulfilled per order will be 1.93. 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.
Still available at the pre–issue discount price of $44 is the 1997 Prestige Set, the last Prestige Set that the U.S. Mint plans to offer, with a limited edition of 80,000 sets.
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 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.