Coins - 1989 Prestige Set Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications

The US Mint printed the Certificate of Authenticity for the 1989 Prestige Set on an off-white paper flecked with silver using black and silver ink.

The paper is slightly smaller than a regular page of 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Information is printed on both sides with the paper folded in half before being added to the Prestige Set package.

The front of the folded certificate shows "Certificate of Authenticity" printed in silver above an emblem celebrating the Congressional Coins Bicentennial (see close-up below). Just below the emblem reads "PROCLAIMING THE TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY" and further down in silver print "1989 PRESTIGE SET."

The emblem shows the 200 year span honored by the United States Congressional Coins.

On the back of the folded certificate, the Mint recognized the artists who designed the obverse and reverse of the 1989 commemorative silver dollar and clad half dollar coins.

In silver and black print, the information says:

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Artists for the 1989
United States Congressional Coins

William Woodward

Mr. Woodward's designs appear on the Silver Dollar Coin and the reverse of the Half Dollar Coin. An accomplished muralist and painter, Woodward's work appears for the first time on a United States Mint Commemorative Coin. Born in 1935, Mr. Woodward has studied art in Washington, D.C. and in Europe. Currently, Woodward is an Associate Professor at George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Patricia L. Verani

Mrs. Verani's design appears on the obverse of the Half Dollar Coin. Verani attended the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts on a scholarship. Her noteworthy achievements include designs for the 1987 United States Constitution Silver Dollar Coin and the obverse of the 1988 Olympic Silver Dollar Coin. She is a member of the National Sculpture Society and a charter member of the American Medallic Sculpture Association. 

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Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the 1989 Prestige set

Unfolded, the inside of the certificate provides a message from the Director of the Mint and details the coins' specifications - the commemorative silver dollar, the clad half dollar and the standard proof coins.  

UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL COINS
Certificate of Authenticity
1989 Prestige Set
INCLUDING THE 1989 CONGRESSIONAL SILVER DOLLAR AND HALF DOLLAR

The undersigned hereby certifies the United States Congressional Silver Dollar and Half Dollar coins as genuine United States commemorative coins struck in accordance with legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President on November 17, 1988 into Public Law 100-673. These historic collectibles are produced by the United States Mint and are specially designed and created to commemorate the 200^th Anniversary of the Congress of the United States. These coins are legal tender of the United States.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR SILVER DOLLAR

Date: 1989
Mint: San Francisco
Condition: Proof
Weight: 26.730 grams ±0.400 gram
Diameter: 1.500 inches ±0.003 inches 38.10mm ±0.08mm
Composition: 90% silver, balance copper

Designer: William Woodward
Design: Obverse: The Statue of Freedom
      Reverse: The Mace of the House of Representatives

SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE HALF DOLLAR

Date: 1989
Mint: San Francisco
Condition: Proof
Weight: 11.340 grams ±0.454 grams
Diameter: 1.205 inches ±0.003 inches 30.61mm ±0.08mm
Composition: 92% copper, 8% nickel

Designer: Obverse: Patricia L. Verani
       Reverse: William Woodward
Design: Obverse: Bust of the Statue of Freedom
       Obverse: The Capitol Building (Certificate notes "Obverse," but the Capitol Building is on the reverse.)

SPECIFICATIONS FOR AUTHENTIC 1989 PROOF COINS
MINTED BY THE UNITED STATES MINT

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Click 1989 Prestige Set to view the contents of the Prestige Set package.

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the 1989 Prestige set