Washington, D.C., February 21, 2001 — The United States Mint today announced that the U.S.Capitol Visitor Center Commemorative Coins, celebrating the first convening of the Congress in the new U.S. Capitol, will be available online at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog beginning February 28, 2001, at 12:00 noon Eastern Time.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each coin — $35 for gold, $10 for silver, $3 for clad–is authorized to be donated to the Capitol Preservation Fund for the purpose of aiding in the construction, maintenance, and preservation of a new Capitol Visitor Center. The Visitor Center will offer modern facilities and free educational movies and exhibits, and the surcharges from the commemorative coins will help eliminate long waits outside.
Elizabeth Jones, former U.S. Mint Chief Sculptor/Engraver designed the gold five–dollar coin’s obverse and reverse. The obverse features a single Corinthian column, the type found on the Capitol building, and the reverse is adorned with an image of the original Capitol building’s structure.
The silver dollar’s obverse, designed by Marika Somogyi, portrays the original Capitol superimposed on the image of today’s Capitol building. The silver dollar reverse, designed by Mint sculptor/engraver John Mercanti, portrays a bald eagle cloaked in a banner inscribed “U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.”
Dean McMullen designed the clad half–dollar obverse featuring the original Capitol building within an outline of the present day Capitol. The reverse is a combination of designs by Alexander Shagin and Marcel Jovine, depicting16 stars and the inscription “32 Senators; 106 House Members.” The stars represent the number of states and the inscription explains the number of members in the 6th Congress–the first to meet in the new Capitol in 1800.
All three Capitol Visitor Center Commemorative Coins are available at a pre–issue price, starting February 28th and ending April 20th. Each coin will be available with or without standard Mint packaging.
With packaging, the $5 proof gold coin is available at the pre–issue price of $195 through April 20th, and for $225 thereafter. Without packaging, the proof gold coin is available at the pre–issue price of $177 and the post–issue price of $207. The $5 uncirculated gold coin is available with packaging at the pre–issue price of $180 through April 20th, and for $205 thereafter. Without packaging, the uncirculated gold coin is available at the pre–issue price of $175 and the post–issue price of $200.
With packaging, the proof silver dollar is available at the pre–issue price of $33 through April 20th, and for $37 thereafter. Without packaging, the proof silver dollar is available at the pre–issue price of $29 and the post–issue price of $33. The uncirculated silver dollar is available with packaging for the pre–issue price of $30 through April 20th, and $32 thereafter. Without packaging, the uncirculated silver dollar is available at the pre–issue price of $27 and the post–issue price of $29.
With packaging, the proof clad half dollar is available at the pre–issue price of $11.25 through April 20th, and for $12 thereafter. Without packaging, the proof clad half dollar is available at the pre–issue price of $10.75 and the post–issue price of $11.50. The uncirculated clad half–dollar is available with packaging for the pre–issue price of $7.75 through April 20th, and $8.50 thereafter. Without packaging, the uncirculated clad half–dollar is available at the pre–issue price of $8.75 and the post–issue price of $9.75.
To qualify for pre–issue discount prices, orders must be postmarked or received by fax or telephone no later than April 20, 2001.
Customers can purchase U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Coins four ways: First, they can save shipping and handling charges by using the U.S. Mint’s secure web site http://www.usmint.gov/catalog Second, they can call 1–800–USA–MINT. Third, they may download an order form at the web site and fax it to (301) 918–2039. Fourth, they may download an order form at the web site and mail it to U.S. Mint, Customer Care Center, Lanham, MD 20706–4331 (Attention: Order Processing). A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all fax, mail and telephone orders for these products. Hearing and speech–impaired customers may order by calling (301) 344–4144 TTY. Please allow approximately 4–6 weeks for delivery.