In 1987, the US Mint produced coins, a silver dollar and a five dollar gold coin, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Constitution of the United States.
This weekend as we celebrate our independence gained in 1776, it’s important to remember the efforts of the Founding Fathers in developing the Constitution which embodies the fundamental principles of our government.
Several years after we gained independence, the Founding Fathers’ efforts coalesced in the Constitution Convention. The men met in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. The meeting was to start on May 14, but a quorum did not exist until May 25.
Whether by design or by accident, the Founding Fathers exhibited wisdom in their broad cross-section of backgrounds and interests. Sure, there were the lawyers, at least men who studied law, but there were also soldiers, planters, educators, ministers, physicians, financiers, and merchants who debated the elements of the Constitution.
In fewer than 100 working days, these men in their woolen clothing without deodorant and without air conditioning in the hot, humid Philadelphia summer discussed, argued and drafted the Constitution.
When finalized, the men of the Constitution Convention provided the draft documents to Jacob Shallus who “engrossed” the copies of the Constitution. In 1787, “engrossed” meant “to write or transcribe in a large, clear hand” and “to write or print the final draft of an official document.” At the time, Shallus was an assistant clerk to the Pennsylvania State Assembly with an office in the same building housing the Constitution Convention.
The physical Constitution consists of four sheets each with dimensions of approximately 28 3/4 inches by 23 5/8 inches. The pages include 4,543 total words (counting the subsequent signatures). Historical records show a sum of $30 paid for “clerks employed to transcribe & engross.” In today’s dollars, that would be roughly $715 (using this inflation calculator). Whether $30 or $715, the price was amazing for such a beautiful and important document that has transcended time.
Most people are familiar with the large, beautifully transcribed beginning of the Constitution, “We the People.” This important beginning also played an integral role in the obverse design of the 1987 U.S. Constitution Bicentennial Silver Dollar.
Ms. Patricia Verani’s design not only replicates the work of Mr. Shallus in her portrayal of “We the People,” but she also includes four pieces of slightly curled parchment paper and a quill pen –the engrossing tool of the day – in her depiction. Below the design, thirteen stars recognize the initial thirteen states that ratified the Constitution.
The states ratified the Constitution in the following order: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York. After Washington had been inaugurated as the first President, North Carolina and Rhode Island finalized the ratification list.
The reverse design of the commemorative silver dollar represents the many people, not only of the initial thirteen states, but all who have benefited from the work the Founding Fathers achieved with the Constitution.
Commemorative coins such as this 1987 Constitution Bicentennial Silver Dollar provide beautiful glimpses into our important history.
More interesting facts about the Constitution and our early history can be found at the web site for our National Archives.