Program Commemorated On The Back Of The Eisenhower Dollar
The Eisenhower dollar is a coin that was minted in the United States from 1971 to 1978. It was named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served from 1953 to 1961. The coin was designed by Frank Gasparro and features a portrait of Eisenhower on the front and an image of the Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon on the back.
The Apollo Program
One of the most interesting aspects of the Eisenhower dollar is the image on the back. The Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon was meant to commemorate the Apollo program, which was a series of missions conducted by NASA to explore the moon.
The Apollo program was one of the most ambitious and expensive programs ever undertaken by the United States government. It began in 1961 and ended in 1972, and during that time, NASA sent a total of 24 astronauts to the moon. The program was a major achievement for the United States and helped establish the country as a global leader in space exploration.
The Design Of The Eisenhower Dollar
The design of the Eisenhower dollar was the result of a competition that was held by the US Mint. Frank Gasparro, who was the Chief Engraver of the Mint at the time, won the competition with his design for the coin. Gasparro was a talented artist who had also designed the Kennedy half dollar, which was introduced in 1964.
The front of the Eisenhower dollar features a portrait of the president, while the back features the Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon. The words "United States of America" and "One Dollar" appear on both sides of the coin, and the date is also included.
The Legacy Of The Eisenhower Dollar
The Eisenhower dollar was only produced for eight years, from 1971 to 1978. During that time, it was used as a circulating coin and was also popular with collectors. Today, the coin is considered a numismatic treasure and is sought after by coin collectors all over the world.
The legacy of the Eisenhower dollar is a testament to the importance of the Apollo program and the role that it played in shaping the history of the United States. The coin is a reminder of the achievements of the NASA astronauts and the incredible feats of technology and engineering that were required to explore the moon.
Conclusion
The Eisenhower dollar is a unique and fascinating coin that commemorates one of the most important events in American history. The image of the Liberty Bell superimposed on the moon is a powerful symbol of the Apollo program and the incredible achievements of the NASA astronauts. Today, the coin is a prized possession for coin collectors and a reminder of the importance of space exploration and scientific discovery.