Coins - 1997 Prestige Set Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications

In keeping with the garden green color, the Certificate of Authenticity for the 1997 Prestige Set was printed on cream paper with a greenish hue using green, black and gray ink.

The certificate is slightly smaller than the standard 8 1/2 by 11 inches paper used for business. The certificate is printed on both sides in such a way that the paper can be folded in half prior to being added to the prestige set.

Above "Certificate of Authenticity," a decorative banner holds the heraldic eagle centered from left to right. The front of the page lists "1997 United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin" above the identifying "1997 PRESTIGE SET."

On the back of the folded certificate, the Mint included information about the designers and artists for the obverse and reverse of the Botanic Garden commemorative silver dollar.

Below the artists' information, the Mint's seal is printed to the left of "UNITED STATES MINT," "The Department of the Treasury" and "Serving America Since 1792."

The artists' information includes:

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The Designers Behind the 1997
United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin

Edgar Z. Steever, IV
Mr. Steever has been a sculptor-engraver for the United States Mint for thirty-two years, during which time he has designed numerous coins and medals. His work on commemorative coins includes design of the 1986 Statue of Liberty Half Dollar, execution of the model for the reverse of the 1989 Bicentennial of the Congress Half Dollar, the 1992 White House Anniversary Coin, and the 1994 Prisoner of War Silver Dollar. Mr. Steever has also designed coins for other nations.

William C. Cousins
William Charles Cousins joined the Engraving Division of the United States Mint in 1990, bringing with him wide experience in medallic design, sculpture and management. His medals include the H. Norman Schwarzkopf reverse in 1991, and the Mint Director Philip N. Diehl reverse. His commemorative coin portfolio includes the 1991 Mount Rushmore Five Dollar reverse (design by Robert Lamb), the 1991 One Dollar U.S.O. obverse (designed by Robert Lamb), the 1992 Olympic Half Dollar obverse, the obverse of the 1994 Bicentennial U.S. Capitol One Dollar coin, and obverse of the 1996 Olympic Five Dollar coin.

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Inside the folded certificate, the Director of the Mint provides a message about the 1997 Prestige Set. In addition, the specifications for all six coins in the set are listed.

The contents state:

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1997 United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin
Certificate of Authenticity
1997 Prestige Set
Including the 1997 Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin

The undersigned hereby certifies this coin as a genuine United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Silver Dollar, struck in accordance with legislation passed by Congress and signed by President William J. Clinton on September 29, 1994, as Public Law 103-328, Section 208. Produced by the United States Mint, this coin was created to help fund the projects and mission of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. These coins are legal tender of the United States.

Specifications for the Proof Silver Dollar

Date: 1997
Mint: Philadelphia
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
Designer Obverse: Edgar Z. Steever, IV
Designer Reverse: William C. Cousins
Obverse Design: The façade of the United States Botanic Garden Building
Reverse Design: America's national flower, the rose, displayed beneath a garland of roses

Specifications for Authentic 1997 Proof Coins
Minted by the United States Mint

Philip N. Diehl
Director, United States Mint

Click 1997 Prestige Set to view the contents of the Prestige Set package.