 |
 |
 |
|
2020-P South Carolina USA American Innovation Dollar Brilliant Uncirculated (MS-63)
The United States Mint American Innovation $1 Coin Program is a multi-year (2018-2029) series honoring innovation and innovators with $1 coins from each State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands. The American Innovation $1 Coins are in uncirculated finishes and were minted at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. For 2020, the South Carolina coin is the fourth and final coin minted in the Innovation Series for 2020
Being featured on this South Carolina coin is the educator and civil rights activist Septima Poinsette Clark (also known as "The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement"). In her youth, Septima earned a bachelor's degree at Benedict College and a master's degree at Hampton Institute prior to earning her teaching license. However, local laws at the time prohibited African Americans from teaching in the public school system. Despite this, Septima decided to become an instructor on South Carolina's Johns Island. Later, she taught at the Avery Normal Institute private school that she attended as child and joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Soon after, Septima Clark became the Director of the Tennessee Highlander Folk School's citizen program which focused on basic literacy and math skills. Her dedication and hard work increase voter registration and Septima became the director of education and teaching when the Southern Carolina Leadership Conference took over this important education initiative. With her leadership, Septima Clark established more than 800 citizenship schools.
The reverse design features Septima Clark marching with three young African American students carrying books and an American Flag. This representation solidifies that education and literacy among the oppressed is a crucial and necessary skill needed for empowerment and enjoyment of civil rights. Inscriptions read "United States of America," "Septima Clark," and "South Carolina."
The obverse design illustrates 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 edge-incused inscriptions are "2020," mint mark, and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Specifications:
Denomination: $1
Composition: 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, 2% Nickel, Balance Copper
Weight: 8.1 grams
Diameter: 26.49mm
Edge: Lettered
Mint Mark: Philadelphia (P)
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
