2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar Proof Coin

2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar Proof Coin, Obverse - Click to Enlarge

Louis Braille was the inventor of a system named after him that is used by the blind to read and write. To commemorate the 200 years since his birth, the US Mint has released the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar Proof Coin.

Struck from 90% silver and 10% copper, an identically designed coin was also created in uncirculated condition. They have the distinction of being the first coins created by the US Mint to feature readable Braille on them.

As the law authorizing the coins stipulates they can only be issued for one year beginning January 1, 2009, the Mint has said they will only accept orders until December 11 to allow them time to fulfill all requests.

In order to increase awareness of the coin, the Mint joined forces with NASA to launch two of the coins into space aboard the Atlantis shuttle. A surcharge is also being added to the purchase of each Braille coin which will be forwarded to the National Federation of the Blind.

Braille Silver Proof Coin Design

2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar Proof Coin, Reverse - Click to Enlarge

Obverse design: Joel Iskowitz designed the portrait of Braille that is featured on the obverse of the coin. It was sculpted by Phebe Hemphill and contains the following inscriptions "LOUIS BRAILLE," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "1809" and "2009."

Reverse design: Susan Gamble designed the reverse to showcase a child reading a Braille book. The word Braille (abbreviated BRL) is featured in readable Braille on the field of the coin. Also seen are the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNIM" and "ONE DOLLAR." The reverse was sculpted by Joseph Menna.

Coin Specifications & Information

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