Coins - Young Collectors Edition Coin Sets - 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots

In 1998, the United States Mint recognized and honored the Black Revolutionary War Patriots with an uncirculated silver dollar in their Young Collectors Edition Coin Sets .

This coin set package is similar to the earlier coin sets in size and design. The set measures six inches by six inches by 1/4 inch. The outer sleeve is constructed of card stock printed in color, and the inner package, also of color card stock, is folded around with several surfaces to provide information to the collector.

On the front of the package, Jeremiah and Christina, along with Charlie, listen with other young people to an historian as she tells the tales of the brave actions of the Black Patriots during the Revolutionary War.

The title of the package states, "Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative Silver Dollar" at the top with "Young Collectors Edition" at the bottom of the front of the outer package.   

The back of the outer package includes the Certificate of Authenticity which states:

Certificate of Authenticity
Black Revolutionary War Patriots
Commemorative Coin
Uncirculated Silver Dollar

The undersigned hereby certifies this silver dollar as a genuine Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative Coin, struck in accordance with legislation passed by Congress and signed by President William J. Clinton on October 20, 1996, as Public Law 104-329. Produced by the United States Mint, this coin was created to commemorate Black Revolutionary War Patriots, and the 275th anniversary of the birth of Crispus Attucks, the first American colonist killed by British troops during the Revolutionary period. This coin is legal tender of the United States.

Philip N. Diehl
Director of the Mint

Specifications for the Silver Dollar

Obverse Design: Crispus Attucks
Obverse Designer: John Mercanti
Reverse Design: Patriot Family
Reverse Designer: Ed Dwight
Mint: San Francisco
Mintage Limit: 500,000 (all options)
Diameter: 38.10 mm (1.5 inches) ±0.08 mm (±0.003 inches)
Weight: 26.730 grams ±0.400 grams
Condition: Uncirculated
Composition: 90% silver, 10% alloy

Notice the restriction on the mintage. The actual mintage for both the uncirculated and proof dollars is less than 120,000 making this coin more valuable than its counterparts. 

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the Young Collectors Edition Coin Set: 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots

The interior coin package front looks very much the same as the outer package expect the coin is now visible just below the historian's knees. 

The back of the interior coin package contains the same colors and the appearance of old paper, but the content states:

Fact:
Many blacks besides Crispus Attucks made important contributions in the Revolutionary era. Salem Poor, a soldier, fought bravely at Bunker Hill. And Benjamin Banneker, an inventor, helped design the new Nation's capital city, Washington, D.C. 

Unfolded, the coin package contains multiple surfaces on which to provide information. 

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the Young Collectors Edition Coin Set: 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots

The inside of the unfolded package shows the Black Patriots participating in the Revolutionary War efforts. 

On the left section, the contents state:

Who were the black patriots?
Over 200 years ago, before the country now known as the United States was formed, the American colonies were ruled by England. When the Americans decided to fight for independence, over 5,000 black patriots joined the struggle. This new silver dollar commemorates — helps us remember and honor — their deeds. 

The next section adds the commentary:

Many fought, and many more supported them.
Over 5,000 black patriots fought in the war, and their families supported their struggle. When the American colonies finally won independence, families rejoiced when the victorious soldiers came home. The back of the coin, a detail from the Black Patriots Memorial, honors the contribution of the black community. 

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the Young Collectors Edition Coin Set: 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots

The next block showing the reverse (tails) of the coin tells more history:

The fight for freedom went on.
While some blacks gained their freedom in the Revolutionary War, others did not. Slavery existed until the Civil War. It took special courage for blacks to fight for America's independence. 

On the side showing the coin's obverse, the message reads:

The first of the brave blacks who fought.
The American Revolution was a war, and people risked their lives. The obverse (front) of the coin honors Crispus Attucks. Born 275 years ago, Mr. Attucks was the first American colonist to be killed by British troops in the Boston Massacre of 1770. His sacrifice began the long fight that led to freedom. 

The coin's obverse (heads) shows a strong man, Crispus Attucks, with his proud visage where his eyes look out of the rich details in his face. 

The coin's reverse (tails) shows a black patriot family with the mother holding a baby in her arms, the father holding his musket his left hand and his tricorne in his right, their son standing between them with a grandfather in the background. 

Pictures of Ed Dwight's larger sculpture can be found here: Black Patriots Memorial with more information about where the memorial is located.

Collecting coins provides a wealth of knowledge about the people and the events of history. You can enjoy collecting these coins either through the Young Collectors Edition coin sets or through commemorative coins.

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the Young Collectors Edition Coin Set: 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots