The 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar was issued by the U.S. Mint to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Released on May 12th, 2004, the coin was available in both proof and uncirculated versions.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, led by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, was tasked by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Their primary goal was to find a navigable water route across the continent, though they ultimately discovered that no such passage existed. Despite this, their journey proved successful by establishing contact with various Native American tribes, documenting numerous plant and animal species, and solidifying U.S. territorial claims to the Pacific Northwest.
Congress authorized the coin’s creation through the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 106-126), which allowed for the production of up to 500,000 coins, depending on public demand.
The coin’s obverse features an image of Lewis and Clark, the two leaders of the expedition. Surrounding the pair are the inscriptions LEWIS & CLARK BICENTENNIAL, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1804, 1806, and 2004. This design was created by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver.
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On the reverse side, the coin displays a representation of the Jefferson Peace Medal that was presented to Native American chiefs during the expedition. Two feathers are also depicted, symbolizing Native American nations, along with seventeen stars representing the states in the Union during the time of the expedition. Inscriptions on the reverse include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. This design was also the work of Donna Weaver.
The sale of these silver dollars included a surcharge, with two-thirds of the proceeds going to the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial and one-third to the National Park Service to support bicentennial commemorative activities.
