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The American Innovation 2019 $1 Reverse Proof Coin – Georgia honors the pioneering work of the Trustees’ Garden in Savannah, Georgia, the first experimental agricultural garden in America. This coin, part of the American Innovation $1 Coin Program launched by the U.S. Mint, recognizes Georgia’s early contribution to agricultural science and biodiversity in the New World. Issued in reverse proof format, the Georgia Innovation dollar celebrates the introduction and cultivation of a wide variety of non-native plants, many of which became integral to American agriculture. With its strong historical focus and elegant presentation, this coin is a standout in the Innovation series and a tribute to botanical exploration.
The American Innovation $1 Coin Program was authorized by Congress through the American Innovation $1 Coin Act (Public Law 115-197), enacted in 2018. The program is intended to issue coins for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories, commemorating innovations and innovators that have shaped the nation's history. Georgia’s selection for 2019 places it among the first group of four states featured, recognizing the colonial-era efforts to transform agriculture through scientific experimentation and global plant exchange. The Trustees’ Garden serves as a historical touchstone for early American attempts to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency and commercial prosperity.
The reverse design of the Georgia Innovation coin was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Emily Damstra and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso. It features a stylized depiction of a hand planting a seed into soil, with a diverse group of plants surrounding the central action. Among the species illustrated are tobacco, wheat, cotton, grapes, and citrus—representative of the kinds of crops cultivated at the Trustees’ Garden. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “TRUSTEES’ GARDEN,” and “GEORGIA” frame the artwork, reinforcing the connection between botanical science and American innovation. The hand, seen sowing a seed, symbolizes foresight, cultivation, and human ingenuity.
The obverse features the consistent American Innovation design used across all issues in the series. Created by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, the obverse depicts a dramatic rendering of the Statue of Liberty raising her torch. The inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the year of issue, “2019,” are positioned to the right, while the mint mark “S” for the San Francisco Mint appears beneath Liberty’s arm. A gear-shaped privy mark located to the lower left of Liberty’s image symbolizes technological progress and innovation, thematically linking all coins in the series through this mechanical motif.
The Georgia Innovation coin was minted exclusively in reverse proof format for collectors. Unlike traditional proof coins that feature frosted devices on mirrored fields, reverse proofs invert this contrast: the fields are frosted, and the raised design elements are highly polished. This visual inversion enhances the details in the intricate garden scene, making the plants appear vibrant and textured against the softer background. The format also lends the hand and seed a symbolic glow, emphasizing the act of planting as an expression of hope and ingenuity. The reverse proof finish is reserved for limited-edition issues and is highly prized by collectors.
Composed of a copper-based alloy (88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel), the coin weighs 8.1 grams and measures 26.49 millimeters in diameter. The edge is inscribed with “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” the mint mark “S,” and the year “2019.” These edge inscriptions maintain the clean, uncluttered face design while ensuring all necessary identifying details are present. The composition and size are consistent with other U.S. dollar coins, including the Sacagawea and Presidential series, reinforcing continuity within modern U.S. numismatics.
The 2019 Georgia reverse proof dollar was minted at the San Francisco Mint, a facility renowned for its precision and quality in producing collector coins. The U.S. Mint released the coin individually in special packaging that included an informational folder and a certificate of authenticity. The total product limit was capped at 75,000 coins, making it a relatively low-mintage issue in the modern coin market. As a result of this limited release and the coin’s artistic and historical appeal, demand from both collectors and educators has remained strong.
Coins in this series are frequently submitted to third-party grading services such as NGC and PCGS. High-quality strikes like this reverse proof typically receive premium grades of PF69 or PF70. These top grades are especially desirable when paired with designations like “First Strike” or “Early Releases,” which indicate that the coin was received by the grading service shortly after its initial release. Coins graded PF70—indicating a flawless strike under magnification—are particularly sought after for their perfect preservation and impeccable finish.
The Trustees’ Garden, established in the 1730s by James Oglethorpe and the Georgia Trustees, was modeled after the Chelsea Physic Garden in London. Its goal was to grow medicinal plants and test new crops that could strengthen the colony’s economy. Experiments included the cultivation of mulberry trees for silk production, grapes for winemaking, and other exotic crops like oranges and cotton. While not all projects succeeded, the garden represented one of the earliest examples of organized agricultural experimentation in North America. It laid the groundwork for botanical research in the United States and helped foster interest in ecological diversity and cultivation techniques.
Collectors and historians appreciate the Georgia Innovation coin not only for its visual appeal but also for its educational value. The coin provides a narrative link to America’s colonial past and to the scientific curiosity that helped shape the country’s agricultural foundation. Its unique theme makes it a standout issue in a series often focused on technological or industrial achievements. By celebrating agriculture, the coin acknowledges a fundamental innovation that sustained early settlers and enabled long-term growth in the New World. It reminds modern audiences of the importance of sustainability, experimentation, and human interaction with the land.
The American Innovation 2019 $1 Reverse Proof Coin – Georgia stands as a beautiful and thoughtful tribute to early American agricultural research and environmental stewardship. With its meticulous design, reverse proof finish, and historically significant subject matter, the coin serves as both a collectible and a conversation piece. As part of the broader Innovation series, it reinforces the multifaceted nature of American progress—where science, exploration, and cultivation work hand in hand. Whether included in a complete Innovation set or collected for its individual story, this coin honors a rich legacy of growth, experimentation, and foresight rooted in the soil of Georgia.