1994 U.S. Capitol Bicentennial Commemorative Silver Dollar

The 1994 U.S. Capitol Bicentennial Commemorative Silver Dollar was issued by the United States Mint to mark 200 years since construction on the U.S. Capitol had begun during the infancy of the country.

A special groundbreaking ceremony for the Capitol building was held on September 18, 1793 when President George Washington laid the cornerstone for the structure. Plans for the building had been solicited from the public a year earlier, the winner of which was to receive $500 and a lot in the new "federal city." The winner of the competition was architect William Thornton whose plans were hailed by President Washington for their "Grandeur, Simplicity, and Beauty."

Construction continued for the next several years with the final touches being placed on the House of Representatives wing in 1811. However, owing to the damages of war and a growing country, construction on the capitol would continue again.

A part of the continuing construction was the addition of a green copper dome in 1822 and 1823 that rose to a height of 140 feet. That dome was replaced itself in 1855 when construction on the much larger present-day cast iron dome began.

Silver Dollar Information

The 1994 U.S. Capitol Bicentennial Commemorative Silver Dollars were authorized by the Bicentennial of the United States Capitol Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 103-186). Under the law, the US Mint was allowed to strike no more than 500,000 of the coins.

On the obverse, an image of the U.S. Capitol dome is shown, complete with the Statue of Freedom at its top. Surrounding the statue are thirteen stars indicative of the original thirteen colonies which banded together to establish the United States of America. Included as well on the obverse are the inscriptions of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1994 and BICENTENNIAL OF UNITED STATES CAPITOL. It was designed by William C. Cousins.

The reverse was designed by John Mercanti and shows an eagle, a shield and American flags. Included as well are the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and the mintmark.

Proof coins were struck at the US Mint‘s facility in San Francisco and show the appropriate ‘S’ mintmark. The uncirculated coins were struck at the US Mint;s facility in Denver and show the ‘D’ mintmark.

Surcharges raised by the sale of these strikes was to be paid to the Capitol Preservation Fund and be available to the United States Capitol Preservation Commission.

1994 U.S. Capitol Bicentennial Silver Dollar Coin Specifications