Mount Vernon — Director of the Mint Philip N. Diehl today announced that the Gold Five–Dollar Coin celebrating the life and achievements and commemorating the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington, is now available from the U.S. Mint.
Joining Director Diehl at the First President’s home at Mount Vernon in Virginia, were Senator Charles Robb of Virginia, U.S. Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow, Mrs. Robert E. Lee IV, Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, and Kerry Donley, Mayor of Alexandria Virginia.
“Now, everyone has a chance to renew his acquaintance with President Washington and to support this place that a nation can call home,” said U.S. Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow. “I am particularly pleased that Laura Gardin Fraser’s 1931 designs for a Washington quarter–dollar now adorn United States coinage.”
“Officially, this coin commemorates the 200th anniversary of our first president’s death,” said U.S. Mint Director Philip N. Diehl. “But to my mind it also commemorates what has survived of his life and the life of our republic for two centuries, and ensures that this place will remain for all time ready to receive everyone who comes here.”
The George Washington Commemorative Five Dollar Coin marks the inaugural striking of Laura Gardin Fraser’s award–winning design, one of the most popular designs submitted in the 1931 design competition for a special new quarter dollar commemorating the birth of George Washington. Fraser’s stunning portrait is modeled on the famed life–mask bust of Washington by noted French Sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Fraser’s reverse design depicts a powerful bald eagle with exquisitely detailed overlapping planes of rough feathers.
A portion of the proceeds from sales of the coin are authorized to be used by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association for preservation of George Washington’s Mount Vernon and to educate the American people about this great man and his incomparable gifts to his nation.
The George Washington Commemorative Gold Five–Dollar is available at pre–issue discount prices of $195 for the proof coin, $180 for the uncirculated coin, and $350 for the two–coin proof and uncirculated Set, through June 25. After June 25, the proof coin is $225; the uncirculated coin $205; and the proof and uncirculated set $399. For information about how to order the George Washington Gold Coin, call 1–800–USA–MINT or visit the Mint’s website at www.USMINT.GOV.