The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar was released by the U.S. Mint to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth. The coin, which had a maximum mintage of 400,000 pieces (in both proof and uncirculated versions), was made available starting March 26, 2009. The legislation that authorized the coin, the Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-247), aimed to honor Braille, the inventor of the tactile writing system that has transformed the lives of millions of blind and visually impaired people.
Struck in 90% silver, the coins followed the traditional specifications for modern commemorative silver dollars, featuring a diameter of 1.5 inches. Of the total mintage, 25,000 uncirculated coins were specifically set aside for the Braille Education Set, which was issued on October 8, 2009.
On the obverse of the coin, a portrait of Louis Braille is displayed. Designed by Joel Iskowitz, a master designer with the U.S. Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program (AIP), and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, the obverse also bears the inscriptions LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, LOUIS BRAILLE, 1809, and 2009.
The reverse features the first readable Braille to appear on a U.S. coin, with the letters “BRL” displayed in Braille. Additionally, an image of a young blind boy reading with Braille is depicted, accompanied by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. This design was created by Susan Gamble, another AIP master designer, and sculpted by Joseph Menna.
सम्बंधित ख़बरें
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each coin, through surcharges, was donated to the National Federation of the Blind to support its efforts in promoting Braille literacy. This coin was issued in the same year as the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar.