Coins - 1991 Prestige Set
Certificate of Authenticity and Coin Specifications
The US Mint printed the Certificate of Authenticity for the 1991 Prestige Set on an off-white paper flecked with
silver using black and silver ink.
The paper is slightly smaller than a legal page of 8 1/2 by 14 inches. Information is printed on both sides
with the paper folded in a tri-fold before being added to the Prestige Set package.
The front of the folded certificate shows "Certificate of Authenticity" printed in silver above "MOUNT RUSHMORE
ANNIVERSARY COINS" printed in black. In the center, an emblem celebrates the golden anniversary of the
monument. (see close-up below). Just below the emblem reads "PRESERVE AMERICA'S FINEST FEATURES" and further
down in silver print "1991 PRESTIGE SET."
The emblem not only celebrates the 50th anniversary, but it also provides a glimpse of what the
commemorative coins show on their obverses.
On the back, the Mint's seal in silver ink is printed above "Department of the Treasury United
States Mint" in black ink.
Inside the first fold of the tri-folded certificate, the Mint accentuates the contributions of the four
artists behind the commemorative Mount Rushmore coins.
The certificate states:
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THE ARTISTS BEHIND THE 1991 MOUNT RUSHMORE COINS
Silver Dollar Obverse - Marika Somogyi
Educated at the College of Fine Arts of Budapest and the University of California, Ms. Somogyi has created numerous
medallic sculptures which are exhibited worldwide. In 1989 she was honored with the Excellence in American Art
Medal.
Silver Dollar Reverse - Frank Gasparro
Chief United States Mint Engraver from 1965 to 1981, this award-winning sculptor and medallic artist studied at the
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.
Half Dollar Obverse - Marcel Jovine
Born in Italy, Mr. Jovine attended the University of Naples and the Royal Academy of Turin. He received the
prestigious J. Sanford Saltus Award for life achievement in the medallic arts.
Half Dollar Reverse - James Ferrell
Mr. Ferrell's coins and medals are exhibited in museums worldwide. A Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts graduate, he
joined the United States Mint after 20 years with the Franklin Mint.
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Unfolded, the inside of the document provides a message from the Director of the Mint along with the
specifications for all seven coins. Again, the golden anniversary celebratory image is shown, this time in
large silver print.
The content states:
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MOUNT RUSHMORE ANNIVERSARY COINS
Certificate of Authenticity
1991 Prestige Set
INCLUDING THE 1991 MOUNT RUSHMORE SILVER DOLLAR AND HALF DOLLAR
The undersigned hereby certifies the Mount Rushmore Anniversary Silver Dollar and Half Dollar coins as genuine
United States Mint commemorative coins struck in accordance with legislation passed by Congress and signed by the
President on July 16, 1990 into Public Law 101-332. These historic collectibles are produced by the United States
Mint and are specially designed and created to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Mount Rushmore National
Memorial. These coins are legal tender of the United States.
Specifications for the Silver Dollar
Date: 1991
Mint: San Francisco
Condition: Proof
Weight: 26.73 grams ±0.400 gram
Diameter: 1.500 inches ±0.003 inch 38.10mm ±0.08mm
Composition: 90% Silver 0.76 troy oz. 10% Copper
Designer: Obverse: Marika Somogyi
Reverse: Frank Gasparro
Design: Obverse: Mount Rushmore Memorial wreathed in laurel
Reverse: Heraldic Eagle Crest over a map of the United
States
Specifications for the Clad Half Dollar
Date: 1991
Mint: San Francisco
Condition: Proof
Weight: 11.34 grams ± 0.454 gram
Diameter: 1.205 inches ±0.003 inch 30.61 mm ±0.08 mm
Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
Designer Obverse: Marcel Jovine
Reverse: James Ferrell
Obverse Design: Mount Rushmore
Reverse: The American Buffalo
SPECIFICATIONS FOR AUTHENTIC 1991 PROOF COINS
MINTED BY THE UNITED STATES MINT
Denomination |
Cent |
Nickel |
Dime |
Quarter |
Half Dollar
(Kennedy) |
Obverse
|
Lincoln
|
Jefferson
|
Roosevelt
|
Washington
|
Kennedy
|
Designer
|
V.D. Brenner
|
Felix Schlag
|
John R. Sinnock
|
John
Flanagan
|
Gilroy
Roberts
|
Reverse
|
Lincoln Memorial
|
Monticello
|
Torch,
Olive Branch,
Oak Branch
|
Heraldic Eagle
|
Heraldic Eagle
|
Designer
|
Frank
Gasparro |
Felix Schlag |
John R. Sinnock
|
John Flanagan
|
Frank Gasparro
|
Composition
|
Copper plated zinc
2.5% copper Balance zinc
|
Cupro-nickel
25% nickel, Balance copper
|
Cupro-nickel clad on copper
8.33% nickel, Balance copper
|
Cupro-nickel clad on copper
8.33% nickel, Balance copper
|
Cupro-nickel clad on copper
8.33% nickel, Balance copper
|
Standard
Weight
|
2.500 grams
|
5.000 grams
|
2.268 grams
|
5.670 grams
|
11.340 grams
|
Standard
Diameter
|
0.750 inch
(19.05 mm)
|
0.835 inch
(21.21 mm)
|
0.705 inch
(17.91 mm)
|
0.955 inch
(24.26 mm)
|
1.205 inches
(30.61 mm)
|
Edge
|
Plain
|
Plain
|
Reeded
|
Reeded
|
Reeded
|
Donna Pope
Director
United States Mint
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Click 1991 Prestige Set to view the contents of the Prestige Set
package.
|