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The Certified Commemorative Lafayette Dollar in Uncirculated Details condition, as authenticated by PCGS, represents one of the most historically significant and iconic U.S. commemorative silver coins ever issued. Struck in 1899 to honor the Marquis de Lafayette, a key figure in both American and French revolutionary history, this dollar stands as the first commemorative silver dollar issued by the United States and also holds the distinction of being the first U.S. coin struck at the Philadelphia Mint to bear a dated year different from its actual minting year. Though marked as "Uncirculated Details," meaning the coin has not seen circulation wear but has a noted issue such as cleaning, this example retains its full mint luster and sharp strike—key attributes for collectors of classic U.S. coinage.
The obverse of the Lafayette commemorative dollar, designed by Charles E. Barber, presents conjoined busts of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, facing right. This dual portrait is unique in U.S. coinage and symbolizes the shared ideals and mutual respect between the two leaders and their nations. Washington is placed slightly in front of Lafayette, and the design is based on Jean-Antoine Houdon’s statue of Washington combined with a similar neoclassical rendering of Lafayette. Around the upper perimeter is the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” while below the busts reads “LAFAYETTE DOLLAR.” In Uncirculated Details condition, the coin retains all of its original detail and mint-state sharpness, though it may show signs of cleaning, hairlines, or light environmental damage that prevent it from earning a numeric mint state grade.
The reverse of the coin features an equestrian statue of Lafayette, a design based on the monument erected in Paris and funded by proceeds from the sale of these coins. The statue shows Lafayette on horseback, draped in a military cloak, with a sword held confidently in one hand. The inscription reads “ERECTED BY THE YOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES IN HONOR OF GEN. LAFAYETTE PARIS 1900,” with the date “1900” boldly displayed despite the coin’s actual 1899 mintage. Surrounding the central image are the legends “REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE” and “PARIS,” acknowledging France’s role and the international commemorative nature of this issue. In Uncirculated Details, the fine details of the horse, rider, and statue base are all present and well-defined, with only minor impairments affecting the surface.
Minted exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint in 1899, the Lafayette dollar was struck in anticipation of the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, where it would be presented as a diplomatic gesture from the United States to France. The total authorized mintage was 50,000 coins, but only 36,026 were actually sold and distributed; the remainder were returned to the Mint and subsequently melted. As a result, surviving examples are limited, and certified specimens—particularly in uncirculated condition—are highly sought after. While most coins were sold as souvenirs and preserved in collections, many were subject to cleaning or mishandling, which led to a large percentage of the surviving population being designated as Uncirculated Details by grading services like PCGS.
Each Lafayette dollar was struck from a standard silver dollar planchet composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams and measuring 38.1 millimeters in diameter. The coins were struck using standard coining presses of the era, with special care taken in striking these pieces as commemoratives. Unlike later commemorative coins, the Lafayette dollar was sold directly to the public via subscription, with proceeds directed toward funding the Lafayette statue in Paris. These coins were never intended for general circulation, and most were preserved to some extent, though not always under ideal numismatic conditions. As such, many exhibit impairments that prevent them from achieving full mint state numerical grades, even if they retain original luster and crisp strike details.
The issuance of the Lafayette dollar marked a turning point in U.S. numismatics, setting a precedent for future commemorative coinage while simultaneously linking American monetary production with diplomatic and cultural endeavors. It was also unique in honoring a foreign figure—Lafayette being a French aristocrat and military officer who played a vital role in the American Revolutionary War. The coin was intended to celebrate not just Lafayette himself but also the enduring friendship between the United States and France. The Paris Exposition of 1900 provided a fitting venue for this expression of international goodwill, and the statue funded by the coin was installed in the Place du Carrousel near the Louvre.
In Uncirculated Details condition, this certified Lafayette dollar provides collectors with an affordable alternative to higher-grade mint state examples, many of which command significant premiums due to the coin’s age, low mintage, and historical significance. While the details grade indicates the coin may have been cleaned or affected by an environmental factor such as light corrosion or surface alteration, its overall visual presence remains strong. The relief elements—including the portraits, lettering, and statue—are unsoftened by wear, making it an excellent representative of the design and type. These examples offer a tangible connection to the past while still preserving the majority of their original appearance and numismatic merit.
Collectors and historians alike revere the Lafayette dollar for its dual symbolism and early place in the lineage of U.S. commemorative coinage. As the first commemorative silver dollar and the first coin struck with the express purpose of commemorating a foreign leader, it stands as a powerful artifact of international diplomacy through numismatics. The fact that it predates the explosion of commemorative issues in the 1920s and 1930s gives it added importance. For those assembling a set of classic U.S. commemoratives or those focused on early mint diplomacy, the Lafayette dollar is a required inclusion, and examples such as this Uncirculated Details PCGS-certified coin remain both accessible and collectible.
In conclusion, the Certified Lafayette Commemorative Dollar in Uncirculated Details condition from PCGS embodies an important and complex chapter in American and world history. It merges the ideals of liberty, revolution, and transatlantic friendship into one remarkable piece of silver coinage. While the Details grade indicates some form of post-mint impairment, the coin retains its full strike, rich historical context, and enduring visual appeal. It is a standout offering for collectors interested in early commemoratives, U.S.-France relations, or the broader narrative of American numismatic artistry. The Lafayette dollar remains one of the most iconic and meaningful commemorative issues ever produced by the United States Mint.