Lafayette Dollar
Manufacturer
United States Mint
(American, 1792-)
Manufacturer
Charles Barber
CultureAmerican
Date1900
MediumSilver die-sinker
InscribedOn front: "UNITED/STATES/OF/AMERICA/LAFAYETTE/DOLLAR". On back: "ERECTED/BY/THE/YOUTH/OF/THE/UNITED/STATES/IN/HONOR/OF/GEN/LAFAYETTE".
Credit LineGift of the Misses Borum in memory of their brother, Charles Borum, June 11, 1866-May 14, 1932.
Object number39.6.74
Not on view
Label TextUnited States Mint, Charles Barber die-sinker
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lafayette Dollar, 1900
Silver
Inscription on Obverse:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / LAFAYETTE DOLLAR
Inscription on Reverse:
ERECTED BY THE YOUTH THE UNITED STATES IN HONOR GEN LAFAYETTE / PARIS 1900
Gift of the Misses Borum in memory of their brother, Charles Borum, June 11, 1866-May 14, 1932 39.6.74
This commemorative silver dollar, which features profile portraits of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette on its obverse, has the distinction of being the first United States coin to bear the likeness of an American president. It was specially issued and sold for two dollars per coin to raise money for a bronze equestrian statue of Lafayette (illustrated on the reverse) that was erected in Paris as a gift of the American government.
Exhibition History"First in the Hearts of His Countrymen: America Remembers George Washington 1732-1799," Chrysler Museum of Art, Nov. 23, 1999 - Summer 2001.
The United States Printing & Lithograph Co.
1917
