It is finally here. Fall is quickly approaching which means the first of the Innovation $1 coins are approaching too. In fact, the first one has a release date by the United States Mint so mark your calendars, everyone! September 19th begins the multi-year series that will honor innovation and innovators with $1 coins from each State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands.
First up: Delaware. It will be the first of four coins released this year as it features Annie Jump Cannon who is recognized as Delaware-born astronomer who invented a system for classifying the stars. This system is still in use today.
The American Innovation $1 Coins will be available in rolls and bags and will have uncirculated finishes from both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. The reverse design features a silhouette of Annie Jump Cannon with a night sky and stars visible. The coin will also feature inscriptions reading “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “ANNIE JUMP CANNON,” “CLASSIFYING THE STARS,” and “DELAWARE.”
The obverse of the coin will feature the standard depiction of the Statue of Liberty in profile view that will be on all the designs moving forward. The inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “$1” will be visible while a privy mark that looks like a stylized gear to the left of the Statue of Liberty will represent the overall theme of the dollars, which is industry and innovation. The edge will be incused like previous dollar designs and will read “2019” with the appropriate mintmark to follow (“P” or “D”). It will also feature “E PLURIBUS UNUM”.