WASHINGTON — The United States Mint has announced the release of the President George H.W. Bush coin set and chronicles.
The $1 coin in the set is a reverse proof coin (or one in which the background is frosted but the design and lettering is polished) and was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Elana Hagler and sculpted by Chief Engraver Joseph Menna.
The obverse (heads) features an image of President George H.W. Bush with the words: “GEORGE H.W. BUSH,” ‘IN GOD WE TRUST,” “41ST PRESIDENT,” and “1989-1993,” indicating his single term as president.
The reverse (tails) was designed and engrave by former Mint Lead Engraver Don Everhart and depicts the Statue of Liberty and contains the inscriptions, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “$1.”
On the coin’s edge is engraved, “S” for the mint mark, “2020,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
The future president George H.W. Bush was the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings before flying fifty-eight combat missions during World War II. While flying a mission as a torpedo bomber in the Pacific theater of the war, he was shot down by a Japanese antiaircraft fire before being rescued by a U.S. submarine. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery.
In 1945, he married future First Lady Barbara (Pierce) Bush, and together, they had six children, including future forty-third U.S. President George W. Bush.
President George H.W. Bush’s career in public service included as Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and vice-president to President Ronald Reagan.
After his 1992 election defeat, Bush devoted time to public service and was able to board the U.S. naval aircraft carrier (CVN 77) named in his honor.
Bush passed away on November 30, 2018 at the age of 94.
The set also features a special coin for First Lady Barbara Bush, who is remembered for her compassion and advocacy towards the promotion of literacy. She devoted her time to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Literacy and helped many other causes including homelessness, AIDS, advocacy for the elderly, school volunteerism, and children’s healthcare. Named in her honor, the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital is part of Maine Medical Center located in Portland, Maine.
Mrs. Bush once attributed the couple’s lifelong compassion to losing their daughter, Robin, who passed away from leukemia before her fourth birthday.
“Because of Robin, George and I love every living human more,” she said.
Barbara Bush passed away on April 17, 2018 at the age of 92.
The commemorative set, which was released on Friday, September 17, celebrates the former president, first lady, and their legacies.
The set includes:
- One 2020 George H.W. Bush Presidential $1 proof coin (which is only available with the set)
- One George H.W. Bush Presidential 99.9 percent silver medal, which is produced in San Francisco (though contains no mint mark)
- One Barbara Bush First Spouse 15/16-inch bronze medal
- One U.S. postage stamp which was issued in 2019 in honor of the president
- One biographical booklet which includes images from President Bush’s life and his presidency
The George H.W. Bush Coin and Chronicles Set is priced at $120 with a limited 35,000 units.
In order to reduce risk of employee exposure to COVID-19, the Mint’s various sales centers are closed until further notice. Those wishing to purchase the set can utilize the United States Mint catalog by clicking here as the primary source.
The United States Mint was founded in 1792 and became part of the U.S. Department of Treasury in 1873. It is America’s only manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating American coinage. It also produces numismatic (or items that are consisting of or related to paper currency, coinage or medals) items including commemorative, proof and uncirculated coins, Congressional Gold Medals, silver and bronze medals, as well as silver and gold bullion coins.
The Mint’s numismatic programs are operated at no cost to tax payers and are considered self-sustaining.
For more information on this and more, visit the website for the United States Mint.