Coins - 1995 Prestige Set Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications

The Certificate of Authenticity for the 1995 Prestige Set highlights the Civil War drummer on the front of the cream colored paper. To the right of the drummer, the front of the certificate states, "1995 Civil War Battlefield Commemorative Coins." "Prestige Set" is added below in script.

Look at a close-up view of the drummer who graces the obverse of the commemorative half dollar. You can see the sadness and tiredness in his face. He's proud and carries himself with shoulders back and head up, but he wants the war to be over.

On the back of the tri-folded certificate, the Mint's seal is printed above "DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY UNITED STATES MINT."

Unfolded, the inside of the document provides a message from the Director of the Mint along with the specifications for all seven coins. Again, images from the artists work on the commemorative coins are included to the left of each coin's details.

The content states:

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1995 Civil War Battlefield
Commemorative Coins
Certificate of Authenticity
Prestige Set

The undersigned hereby certifies these coins as genuine Civil War Battlefield Commemorative Coins, struck in accordance with legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President on October 5, 1992, as Public Law 102-379. Produced by the United States Mint, these coins were created to help fund preservation efforts for our Nation's Civil War Battlefields. These coins are legal tender of the United States.

Specifications for the Silver Dollar

Obverse Design: Civil War soldier giving assistance to a wounded foe
Reverse Design: Little Round Top at Gettysburg and quote from Joshua Chamberlain
Designer Obverse: Don Troiani
Designer Reverse: John Mercanti
Date: 1995
Mint: San Francisco "S"
Condition: Proof
Weight: 26.730 ± 0.400 gram
Diameter: 38.10mm (±0.08mm) 1.500 inches ±0.003 inch
Composition: 90% Silver (0.76 troy oz.), 10% Copper

Specifications for the Clad Half Dollar

Obverse Design: Civil War drummer
Reverse Design: Landscape and cannon with inscription above
Designer Obverse: Don Troiani
Designer Reverse: T. James Ferrell
Date: 1995
Mint: San Francisco "S"
Condition: Proof
Weight: 11.340 grams ± 0.454 gram
Diameter: 30.61 mm (±0.08 mm) 1.205 inches (±0.003 inch)
Composition: 92% Copper, 8% Nickel

Specifications for Authentic 1995 Proof Coins

Minted by the United States Mint

On the remaining side of the tri-folded certificate, the Mint highlights the contributions of the artists behind the commemorative civil war coins.

The certificate states:

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The Artists Behind the Civil War Commemorative Coins

Don Troiani (Obverses)
Mr. Troiani is one of the most respected historical artists in America Today. As a Civil War scholar, collector and preservationist, he brings an extraordinary knowledge of the subject to his work. His paintings and prints hang in major private and institutional art collections throughout the Nation. A lifelong artist, Mr. Troiani studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and New York City's Art Students League.

John Mercanti (Silver Dollar Reverse)
Mr. Mercanti has created 15 coin designs since coming to the United States Mint as a Sculptor/Engraver in 1974. They include the obverses of the 1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Coin, the 1990 Eisenhower Centennial Coin, the 1989 U.S. Congressional Gold Five Dollar Coin and the 1986 Statue of Liberty Silver Dollar Coin. Mr. Mercanti attended the Pennsylvania College of Art and the Fleisher Art Memorial School.

T. James Ferrell (Clad Half Dollar Reverse)
Since joining the Engraving Department of the United States Mint in 1989, Mr. Ferrell has designed numerous commemorative coins and medals, including the 1991 Mount Rushmore Half Dollar reverse, the 1992 Christopher Columbus Gold Five Dollar obverse and the 1993 Thomas Jefferson Silver Dollar obverse. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the recipient of many national and international awards and grants.

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Click 1995 Prestige Set to view the contents of the Prestige Set package.