Greater Atlanta Coin Show
     2016, our 29th year
       of monthly coin shows

  coin show and coin information for collectors and investors
 

Products showing Modern Commemorative Coins on the Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

Coins - 1991 Prestige Set

In 1991, Mount Rushmore celebrated its 50th or golden anniversary. The US Mint acknowledged the 50th anniversary with commemorative silver dollar and clad half dollar coins in the 1991 Prestige Set. 

The size and outer format of the packaging remained the same as the recent years with only minor changes in the colors used for the outer box, inner book and Certificate of Authenticity

The 1991 Prestige Set contained seven proof coins including five standard coinage, a commemorative silver dollar and a commemorative clad half dollar.  The coins equal $2.41 in face value. The US Mint initially sold the 1991 Prestige Set for $59 which would be $94.27 in 2010 money using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Inflation Calculator.

The smoke gray outer box forms the backdrop for the silver print of the heraldic eagle emblem and the inscription "UNITED STATES 1991 PRESTIGE SET."

The two-piece box measures 5 1/4 inches by 7 3/8 inches by 1 5/8 inches when closed.   

1991 Prestige Set box

Inside the two-piece outer box, the book holding the seven proof coins fits securely along with the  Certificate of Authenticity.

Smoke gray velvet, not quite as soft as previous years, covers the padded exterior of the coin book with metal brackets protecting the corners of the book. The metallic symbol for the heraldic eagle centers the front cover of the coin book.  

1991 Prestige Set package

Inside the front cover, off-white padded fabric highlights the silver print of the heraldic eagle and the inscription "UNITED STATES MINT 1991 PRESTIGE SET." 

A red, white and blue ribbon attaches to form a triangle across the lower left. This ribbon can be used to secure the Certificate of Authenticity inside the set. 

On the right, plastic in two shades of soft gray holds the seven coins securely. The coins' obverse and reverse designs can be seen behind clear acrylic. At the top, the silver commemorative silver dollar takes the position of prominence with the commemorative clad half dollar taking the lower right position.  

1991 Prestige Set obverse

Turning the book over to view the reverse, the inside back cover contains padding to protect the coins' plastic and acrylic holder. 

1991 Prestige Set reverse

Begun in 1927 and completed in 1941, 1991 marked the 50th anniversary of the Mount Rushmore monument to freedom and democracy with the visages of four presidents - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Sculptor Gutson Borglum worked on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial while leaving his work on the Stone Mountain carving to be finished by others. The total cost of Mount Rushmore came in just under $1M at $989,992. In today's dollars that would be more than $15M.

Throughout the work, as faces were finished, officials held ceremonial dedications at the site. George Washington's dedication occurred in 1934, Thomas Jefferson in 1936, Abraham Lincoln in 1937 and Theodore Roosevelt in 1939.

Initially, Thomas Jefferson was to reside on George Washington's right, but after work began the area was too unstable. The work was blasted away and new plans moved Jefferson to Washington's left.

During the 14 years of demolition and carving, roughly two million tons of rock was blasted to form the monument of the four presidents. Much of the rock can still be seen in the scree below the carved images.

The obverse of the commemorative silver dollar shows the mountain portraits of the four presidents with "LIBERTY" above and "GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL" below. The year of the coin, 1991, is embedded in the mountainside.

The lower rim of the coin holds laurel wreathing the bottom of the engraving. A banner in the middle of the laurel says, "IN GOD WE TRUST."   

1991 Prestige Set commemorative silver dollar obverse

The dollar reverse shows the heraldic eagle emblem over an outline of the contiguous United States. A star highlights the location of the monument in South Dakota with "SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY" inscribed just below.

"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" moves across the top of the coin with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "ONE DOLLAR" at the bottom rim of the coin. 

1991 Prestige Set commemorative silver dollar reverse

The commemorative clad half dollar provides a different perspective on the monument. The monument's national park includes over 1200 acres, and in round numbers, the park attracts two million visitors annually.

The obverse shows "LIBERTY" above the presidential portraits and "MOUNT RUSHMORE" along with "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "1991" below.

1991 Prestige Set commemorative half dollar obverse

Fifty stars equidistantly surround the reverse of the commemorative clad half dollar with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "HALF DOLLAR" and "GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY" inscribed within the circle of stars. 

The American Buffalo dignifies the middle of the coin with his proud bearing and symbolizes the heritage of this great land.  

1991 Prestige Set commemorative half dollar reverse

One historical reference comments that Mount Rushmore represents the first 150 years of the history of the United States of America. In reality with the icons of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln, the monument epitomizes the struggles for freedom and self-government they endured. Their ceaseless fight for liberty provided us the immeasurable independence we enjoy today. 

Follow Us on Twitter @atlcoin

Join atlcoin on facebook

Marine Corps Commemorative Dollar on the Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

 

 

Ultra High Relief $20 Gold Tile Coaster on the Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

 

 

 

 

Stone Mountain Money Clip on Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

 

 

CoinMapsUSA.com Main Page

 

10% off

 

 

World's Columbian Cufflinks on Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe

 

 

Illinois Centennial Half Dollar Keychain on the Greater Atlanta Coin Show's Numismatic Shoppe