2009-P Louis Braille Bicentennial Uncirculated Silver Dollar
The 2009-P Louis Braille Bicentennial Uncirculated Silver Dollar was released by the US Mint on March 26, 2009 to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Louis Braille.
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| Mintage: up to 400,000 across all product options Ending Sales Date: 11 Dec 2009 Authorizing Coin Law U.S. Mint Online Site |
Braille, who was born with sight, became blind at the age of four. As a child, he continued his love of reading with books that featured raised letters allowing him to "feel" the words. Wanting to improve on this system, Braille developed a system of no more than six raised dots in a maximum of two columns that could be used to represent each letter, vastly increasing the speed in which a blind person could read.
The Braille System has been used ever since by those who are visually impaired.
Other 2009 Braille Coin Options
The US Mint created a total of four product options for the Braille Coin including this Uncirculated Silver Dollar. Other options include:
- 2009-P Louis Braille Bicentennial Proof Silver Dollar
- 2009-P Louis Braille Bicentennial Uncirculated Silver Dollar with Easy Open Capsule
- 2009 Braille Education Set (contains one 2009-P Uncirculated Braille Coin)
The Easy Open Capsule allowed buyers an option in which the coin could easily be removed. The Education Set included additional materials relating to the Braille System in addition to an Uncirculated Braille Coin. No more than 400,000 of the Braille coins were allowed to be struck across all product options.
Issue Information
The Braille Silver Dollars are struck from 90% silver and 10% copper.
Release Date
The US Mint released the Braille Silver Dollars on March 26, 2009.
Issue Price
An introductory price of $31.95 was offered by the US Mint for the Lincoln Coin. Prices were raised to $33.95 on April 27, 2009.
U.S. Mint Production Facility
A ‘P’ mintmark found on each coin indicates it was struck at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia.
Designer & Sculptor / Engraver
Designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, a portrait of Louis Braille is found on the obverse (heads side) of the coin.
The reverse (tails side) shows a young child reading a Braille book with the letters BRL shown in actual Braille above him. It was designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Joseph Menna.
Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $1 |
| Finish: | Uncirculated |
| Composition: | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Standard Weight: | 26.73 g |
| Standard Diameter: | 1.500 inches or 38.10 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |