2004 marked the 125th anniversary of Thomas Alva Edison's invention of the light bulb, in honor of this historic event the United States Mint produced a collection of silver commemorative coins. These 10% copper and?90% silver dollars showcased emblematic light bulb designs and the other designs by Thomas A. Edison and were offered in an uncirculated collector's edition and also versions of printing proofs. The US Mint was sanctioned to produce not more than 500,000 silver one-dollar coins.
Source Coin Update
The obverse (or head side) of the coin was designed by the United States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver, and features a portrait of Thomas A. Edison holding an early experimental light bulb in his laboratory. ?The reverse design (or tail side) was designed by John Mercanti also a?United States Mint sculptor/engraver. It features a detailed portrayal of Edison's first light bulb. The image of the light bulb and the inscription "125th Anniversary of the Light Bulb" lines the outer most part of the dollar's upper side. Below this inscription are the words "1879 2004″, "United States of America", "One Dollar" and "E Pluribus Unum".
Source Coin Update
The proceeds from the sales go towards maintaining and repairing the?Museum of Arts and History in Port Huron, Michigan; the Edison Birthplace Association; the National Park Service; the Edison Plaza Museum; the Edison Winter Home and Museum; the Edison Institute; the Edison Memorial Tower; and the Hall of Electrical History.
