Coin Challenge Answers - Washington Monument

Do you know which coin contains this view of the Washington Monument? 

As the hints stated, the coin is modern and it's not a quarter. Let's take a look:

For this November coin challenge, the 1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commemorative Silver Dollar appropriately follows Veterans Day 2011 which occurred on November 11.

Additional background information about the wall comes from the May 6th page of Days of Our Coins:

In 1980, the competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial design opened. The prize of $50,000 generated 2,573 registrations. By the March deadline, 1,421 designs were received and displayed for the selection committee. On May 6, 1981, the jury of eight architects and sculptors unanimously chose the design by 21-year-old Maya Ying Lin: "Walking through this park-like area, the memorial appears as a rift in the earth, a long, polished, black stone wall, emerging from and receding into the earth."

As one who has seen the wall, those who visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial find it to be a sad yet moving and humbling experience. 

The legislation for the 1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial commemorative silver dollar was approved by Congress and signed by the President on December 14, 1993 as Public Law 103-186.

In the law, Congress set the limit for the number of coins minted at 500,000. Records estimate the distribution for the 1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commemorative Silver Dollar at 285,000.

The Philadelphia mint struck the proof coins, and West Point produced the uncirculated coins. The commemorative silver dollars contained a composition of 90% silver (0.76 troy ounce of silver) and 10% copper.

The outstretched hand touching the wall with the Washington Monument in the background includes the artistry of John Mercanti. His initials, JM, can be found near the rim of the coin below the tree beside the Washington Monument.

In our book, Days of Our Coins, the 1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commemorative Silver Dollar is featured on May 6 (obverse) and April 27 (reverse).