The United States Mint American Innovation $1 Coin Program is a multi-year series honoring innovation and innovators with $1 coins from each State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The American Innovation $1 Coins in the rolls and bags have uncirculated finishes and were minted at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. The Massachusetts coin is the second minted in 2020.
The American Innovation $1 Coin representing Massachusetts marks the invention of the telephone. On March 7, 1876, Boston resident Alexander Graham Bell spoke these now-famous words into a device he invented to transmit the human voice: “Mr. Watson–come here–I want to see you.” Bell’s assistant Thomas Watson, who was in the next room, received the message and communication was forever changed. Bell was awarded the patent for his telephone, and the impact of his invention continues to be felt worldwide.
The reverse (tails) design depicts the dial of an early rotary dial telephone. The inscriptions are “MASSACHUSETTS,” “TELE-PHONE,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
The obverse (heads) design features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “$1.” The obverse also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation.
The year of minting, mint mark, and the inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are incused on the edge of the coins.
| Denomination: | $1 Coin |
|---|---|
| Composition: | 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, 2% Nickel, Balance Copper |
| Weight: | 8.100 grams |
| Diameter: | 1.043 inches (26.49 mm) |
| Edge: | Lettered |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | Denver – D, Philadelphia – P |
