The 2000 Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Silver Dollars were released by the United States Mint on April 24, 2000 and were available for sale until December 31, 2000.
These commemorative silver coins were issued to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Library of Congress along with a special ten-dollar gold and platinum bimetallic coin. Both were authorized by the Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-268).
“We are honored to be part of a program celebrating the bicentennial of the Library of Congress, the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution in the country and largest library in the world,” said United States Mint Acting Director John Mitchell on the release of the coins.
The authorizing act dictated that no more than 500,000 of the silver dollars be struck. However, the final mintage for the coins barely reached 50% of that amount.
Silver Dollar Information
The Library of Congress Silver Dollar was struck to both proof and uncirculated condition. Both varieties were produced at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia and carry the appropriate ‘P’ mintmark on their reverse.
On the obverse of each coin, an open book is shown superimposed over the torch of learning, which personifies the vast knowledge provided by the Library. Also shown are the inscriptions of LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 1800, 2000, IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY. It was designed by US Mint engraver/sculptor Thomas D. Rogers, Sr.
The reverse shows an architectural rendering of the dome on the Library’s Jefferson Building. The Jefferson Building is one of three main structures of the Library of Congress and is named after former President of the United States Thomas Jefferson who was instrumental in the creation of the Library. Included as well on the reverse are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE DOLLAR and the ‘P’ mintmark. The reverse was designed by US Mint engraver/sculptor John Mercanti.
Also issued in 2000 by the US Mint was the 2000 Leif Ericson Millennium Silver Dollar.
2000 Library of Congress Silver Dollar Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $1 |
| Composition: | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Total Estimated Mintage: | 198,503 Proof, 53,264 Uncirculated |
| Diameter: | 1.5 inches |
| Weight | 26.73 grams |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Minting Facility: | Philadelphia (P) |
| Obverse Design: | Image of a book with the torch of learning |
| Obverse Designer: | Thomas D. Rogers, Sr |
| Reverse Design: | Dome of Library’s Jefferson Building |
| Reverse Designer: | John Mercanti |
