1900 $1 Lafayette Silver Commemorative PCGS MS64

Here’s a unique piece to add to your collection. Writes Ron Guth in PCGS Coinfacts, “The 1900-dated Lafayette silver dollar represents the first United States commemorative coin of that denomination and the only silver dollar commemorative to be minted until decades later in the 1980s.” PCGS has graded 1,027 as MS64 with 511 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $3,350.00 in MS64.

The Marquis de Lafayette was a renowned 18th century French nobleman who left his life of privilege in France to help the American colonies fight their British overlords. In the process he helped forge a new nation. Lafayette ultimately achieved the rank of Major General in the Continental Army. Additionally, Lafayette had a very close friendship with George Washington. Therefore, when the United States was invited to take part in the Paris Exposition of 1900, it was thought a fitting contribution would be a statue of the Revolutionary War hero crafted by sculptor Paul Wayland Bartlett. School children from across America contributed small change to the Lafayette Monument Fund to raise funds for the statue. Additional money was to be acquired via the production of 50,000 Lafayette commemorative dollars. These coins were sold at $2 each.

A portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette in the uniform of major general of the Continental Army (Wilson Peale, circa 1779-80). Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Chief Engraver of the Mint, Charles E. Barber, was selected to design the coin. The reverse of the coin presents Bartlett’s statue of Lafayette on horseback. Writes NGC Coin Explorer, “While the date 1900 is on the reverse of the coin, they were actually all struck in 1899. On December 14th, 1899, the mint struck all 50,000 coins as authorized by the legislation. This date had special significance as it was 100 years to the day of Washington’s death. Unfortunately, the coins proved to be slow sellers. After the Exposition, they were still available for a number of years for less than issue price. Eventually, some 14,000 pieces were returned to the mint, where they sat until being melted in 1945, leaving a net mintage of 36,000 coins.”