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The Certified Lafayette Commemorative Silver Dollar graded MS63 by PCGS is one of the most historically significant and collectible early U.S. commemorative coins. Authorized by Congress in 1899 and struck in 1900, this silver dollar commemorates the centennial of General Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to the United States and was the first official U.S. coin to depict actual historical figures. It holds several other firsts as well—it was the first U.S. commemorative silver dollar and the first coin to be struck at the Philadelphia Mint that carried a date (1900) that did not match the year of its production (1899). Graded MS63 by PCGS, this coin resides in the Mint State tier, offering full original detail, strong luster, and collector-quality preservation, making it a premier example of classic U.S. numismatics.
The obverse design of the Lafayette Dollar was created by Charles E. Barber, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint at the time. It features conjoined busts of General George Washington and General Marquis de Lafayette, two of the most important figures of the American Revolutionary War and early American diplomacy. Washington is depicted in the foreground, with Lafayette slightly behind and to the left. The legends read “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” above, and “LAFAYETTE DOLLAR” below, with 13 stars positioned between the inscriptions. This marked the first time that a U.S. coin featured a former president—Washington—as well as a foreign dignitary. The portraits are rendered with a neoclassical sensibility, reflecting late 19th-century artistic preferences for formality and honorific design.
The reverse of the coin features a statue of Lafayette on horseback, based on a monument that was being funded by the coin's sale and later erected in Paris. The statue shows Lafayette in military dress, gesturing forward with his right arm while mounted on a prancing horse. The surrounding inscriptions read “ERECTED BY THE YOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES IN HONOR OF GEN. LAFAYETTE” along with the date “PARIS 1900” at the bottom. This reverse imagery was unusual for its time, as it departed from allegorical figures or symbolic motifs and instead focused on a specific and tangible monument. The entire design is framed by a beaded rim and surrounded by precise engraving work, which in Mint State examples remains strikingly clear and attractive.
Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the Lafayette Dollar had an authorized mintage of 50,000 coins, all struck in December 1899. The coins were dated 1900 to correspond with the planned unveiling of the Lafayette monument at the 1900 Paris Exposition. Approximately 36,000 coins were sold to the public, with the remaining coins returned to the Mint and melted, leaving a net distribution of roughly 36,000 surviving pieces. The coins were sold for $2 each, a considerable sum at the time, and proceeds went to support the funding of the Lafayette statue in Paris. As such, the Lafayette Dollar holds both numismatic and philanthropic significance, embodying a unique international connection between the United States and France.
PCGS certification ensures that this Lafayette Dollar has been professionally authenticated, graded, and encapsulated in a secure holder that preserves its condition. Graded MS63, the coin is classified as Mint State with moderate contact marks or abrasions but still retaining full detail and original mint luster. Coins at this level often show brilliant or lightly toned surfaces, depending on storage and environmental exposure. The devices—such as the facial features of Lafayette and Washington, as well as the detailing in the statue on the reverse—are expected to be sharply struck. While not pristine like an MS65 or MS66, MS63 coins represent strong collector value and are especially desirable given the Lafayette Dollar’s age, historical role, and limited supply in Mint State grades.
Visually, a Lafayette Dollar in MS63 may show minor marks or hairlines in the fields or on the high points of the design, but these do not significantly detract from the coin’s overall aesthetic. The fields usually retain at least some original mint brilliance, and coins with attractive toning or clean fields relative to the grade are particularly sought after. The coin’s broad, open areas—especially on the obverse around the portraits—can be susceptible to small abrasions, but at MS63, these are generally light and unobtrusive. The detailed artistry of both obverse and reverse is preserved, making this coin an excellent display piece and a sound investment in early U.S. commemoratives.
The Lafayette Dollar’s place in numismatic history cannot be overstated. Not only was it the first commemorative silver dollar issued by the United States, but it also marked a shift in commemorative coinage from allegorical and symbolic designs to direct representations of people and historical events. It also stands as a testament to Franco-American friendship, honoring the French general who aided the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. Its design, origin, and mission were deeply rooted in diplomacy, patriotism, and public philanthropy, lending the coin a cultural and political significance that elevates it beyond its silver content or face value.
Collectors prize the Lafayette Dollar for its rarity, beauty, and historic value. Assembling a complete collection of early U.S. commemoratives is a challenge in itself, and the Lafayette Dollar is among the centerpiece coins in such a set. Its status as the only classic silver commemorative dollar struck before the series officially began in 1892 with the Columbian Exposition half dollar further distinguishes it from its contemporaries. The fact that the coin was not widely distributed and that many were melted only enhances its desirability among serious collectors and historians alike. MS63 represents a mid-tier Mint State grade that offers collectors a premium-quality example without the steep premiums associated with higher MS65 or MS66 pieces.
In conclusion, the Certified 1900 Lafayette Commemorative Silver Dollar graded MS63 by PCGS is a prestigious and historically rich piece of early American coinage. With its groundbreaking design, limited mintage, and celebrated Franco-American theme, it stands out as a cornerstone of the classic commemorative series. Graded Mint State 63, the coin offers an impressive blend of detail, luster, and preservation, securely authenticated by one of the most trusted grading services in the field. Whether added to a commemorative set, a type collection, or held as a stand-alone historic artifact, the Lafayette Dollar in MS63 condition continues to command respect and admiration more than a century after its creation.