Silver Medal (1993) U.S. Currency Bicentenary, Coin from United States - detailed information

The U.S. Mint’s silver medals occupy a distinctive space in American exonumia, blending commemorative artistry with precious metal craftsmanship. Authorised under the Treasury’s authority to produce “list medals,” these works honour historical events, cultural milestones, and influential figures. While not legal tender, they serve as enduring tributes to national heritage, often featuring allegorical designs, iconic landmarks, or portraits of pivotal individuals. Their production adheres to the same standards as circulating coinage, often using archival engravings combined with modern minting techniques to ensure precision and aesthetic impact.

Official medals trace their roots to diplomatic necessities and national commemoration, predating the formal establishment of the U.S. Mint or even the United States as such. While the U.S. Mint was officially created by the Coinage Act of 1792, the earliest federal medals emerged from various diplomatic efforts, such as the 1782 Continental Congress peace medals-commissioned during the Confederation period to foster alliances with Native American tribes. Since the 1860s, commemorative and collector medals became popular, with the U.S. Mint now issuing a large variety in gold, silver and bronze.

Many of these medals are struck on coin blanks, and have the same specifications as existing coinage.

This medal was issued to commemorate the 200th anniversary (bicentenary) of the United States Mint’s establishment in 1792, and the 200th anniversary of the release of the first coinage of the United States in 1793.

The Mint held an internal contest among its employees to come up with the design. The winning entry for the medal's obverse came from Don Miller, a police officer at the Mint in Philadelphia. Lauren Vaughan, a secretary within the Mint's Office of Public Communications, submitted the winning design used for the reverse. The two sides were sculpted respectively by Frank Gasparro and Thomas D. Rogers, Sr., for whom this was the first Mint assignment.

The medal was issued in two sizes in bronze in 1992. Collectors noticed an error on the reverse - the depiction of the 1932-S Washington quarter dollar depicted on the medal showed the mint mark on the obverse, but this position was used for coins struck in 1968 and later; the 1932 piece has it under the eagle on the obverse. In 1993 the medal was re-issued (with a different inscription) in silver, with this error corrected.