Whitman Expo
1900 Lafayette Silver dollar MS Values
Details
The only silver dollar among the classic United States commemoratives struck from 1892 through 1954, the 1900 Lafayette dollar was spearheaded by the Lafayette Memorial Commission to help raise funds for a statue of General Lafayette in Paris. General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette brought French troops to help fight in and support the Revolutionary War in America. He is profiled in a jugate portrait with George Washington, making this the first official legal tender United States coin to profile the likeness of a former president.
The coins, credited to sculptor-engraver Charles Barber, were sold by the Memorial Commission for $2 each, though only 36,026 from a total authorized mintage of 50,000 pieces. This coin is frequently encountered in grades of AU50 through MS65, though higher-graded examples are quite scarce.
This coin is made of 90% silver; 10% copper and has a current melt value of $58.63
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
36,026
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Lafayette
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
26.73 gr
Weight:
0.8594 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.7734 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
38.1 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
Charles E. Barber
Obverse Designer:
Charles E. Barber
Reverse Designer:
Charles E. Barber
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