WASHINGTON — The United States Mint announced today that it will begin selling a limited–edition “Legacies of Freedom” Set — containing an uncirculated 2003 $1 American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin and an uncirculated 2002 £2 Silver Britannia Coin — by phone and online at www.usmint.gov, on January 28, 2004, at noon. The set will sell for $49.99, with up to 50,000 sets to be produced.
“Walking Liberty and Standing Britannia are beautiful, evocative images in defense of freedom. These allegorical women represent the strength and pride of their Nations,” said United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore.
The American Eagle Silver Coin’s obverse (heads) design is Adolph A. Weinman’s full–length figure of Liberty in full stride, dressed in a flowing gown representing the Stars and Stripes, with her right hand extended and branches of laurel and oak in her left. The reverse (tails) design, by United States Mint sculptor/engraver John Mercanti, features the heraldic eagle with shield, an olive branch in the right talon and arrows in the left, with 13 stars representing our Nation’s original 13 colonies.
The Britannia Silver Coin’s obverse design is Ian Rank–Broadley’s portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse design is Philip Nathan’s Standing Britannia wearing a warrior’s helmet and wrapped in a wind–blown gown, holding a trident seaward in her right hand and a shield and sprig of olive in her left. The Britannia Silver Coin, considered to be in “uncirculated” condition by the British Royal Mint, is what the United States Mint designates as a “reverse proof” finish, with a mirror–like image and frosted background. Production of the 2002 £2 Britannia is limited to a maximum mintage of 100,000 coins. Unlike United States coins, whose minting and issuance must cease at years’ end, the British Royal Mint may continue to issue 2002 Britannias until this maximum mintage has been reached.
Packaged in an attractive “blister pack,” revealing both sides of the coins, the “Legacies of Freedom” Set includes Certificates of Authenticity from both Director Fore and Gerald Sheehan, Deputy Master and Chief Executive of the British Royal Mint. The package also includes “The Story of Two Sculptors,” brief histories and descriptions of the symbolism in the Walking Liberty and Britannia images.
Customers can purchase the “Legacies of Freedom” Set by using the United States Mint’s secure website, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders. Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.