The 1997 Botanic Garden Commemorative Silver Dollar was issued by the United States Mint in 1997 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the United States Botanic Garden.
Creation of the garden is attributed to President James Monroe who set aside an initial 5 acres for a "national greenhouse." The intended area was at first only swamp-land, but would soon be transformed into what Dr. Edward Cutbush, founder and President of the Columbian Institute (the predecessor of the Botanic Gardens) described as a place "where various seeds and plants could be cultivated, and, as they multiplied, distributed to other parts of the Union."
The collection of the Gardens was extremely enhanced owing to the congressionally authorized United States Exploring Expedition undertaken by Charles Wilkes. His six year expedition around the globe (which constituted some 87,000 miles) added many species to the Gardens.
Today, the Botanic Garden is home to over 10,000 living specimens, some of which are over 165 years old. The Garden receives hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and is open every day of the year, including holidays.
Silver Dollar Information
The United States Mint produced the Botanic Garden 150th Anniversary Commemorative Silver Dollar under the authorization of Public Law 103-328, section 208. A maximum of 500,00 of the coins were authorized, but less than half that amount were sold.
Special limited availability sets contains the coins were also produced by the US Mint, but they saw intense interest. This included the 25,000 Botanic Garden Coinage & Currency Set which had an uncirculated Botanic Garden silver dollar, an uncirculated 1997 Jefferson Nickel, a current George Washington one-dollar note and a booklet explaining the history of the Garden as well as the role our founding fathers played in establishing it.
The US Mint also produced 80,000 Prestige Sets which included a Proof Silver Botanical Garden Coin as well as proof examples of the five circulating coins of the year.
On the obverse of the coin, we find a rendering of the French facade of the U.S. Botanic Garden as completed by U.S. Mint Sculptor/Engraver Edgar Z. Steever, IV. Also shown on that side are the inscriptions of LIBERTY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1997 and the Philadelphia mintmark of ‘P’.
The reverse shows a rose as designed by U.S. Mint Sculptor/Engraver William C. Cousins. Included as well are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES, BOTANIC GARDEN, 1820-1995 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Proceeds from surcharges on the sale of each coin were forwarded to the National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden.
The United States Mint also issued a Jackie Robinson Silver Dollar as well as a National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Silver Dollar in 1997.
1997 Botanic Garden Silver Dollar Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $1 |
| Composition: | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Total Estimated Mintage: | 189,671 Proof, 58,505 Uncirculated |
| Diameter: | 1.5 inches |
| Weight | 26.73 grams |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Minting Facility: | Philadelphia (P) |
| Obverse Design: | French Facade of the Botanical Garden |
| Obverse Designer: | Edgar Z. Steever, IV |
| Reverse Design: | Image of a Rose |
| Reverse Designer: | William C. Cousins |
