2001-P 50C Capitol Visitor MS69 Certification #72688158, PCGS #9790

2001 P CAPITOL Visitor Center 50C MS Coin Specifications: Category: Modern Commemoratives (1982-Date). Mint: Philadelphia. Obverse Designer: Dean McMullen. Reverse Designer: Alex Shagin and Marcel Jovine. Composition: Copper-Nickel Clad Copper. Weight: 11.3400 g Diameter: 30.6 mm Edge: Reeded. ~~~~ Mintage = 99,157. ~~~~ as of 11/18/2019: PCGS pop = 1,644 / 153. ~~~~ DESCRIPTION & ANALYSIS: On December 6, 1999 Congress authorized the minting of commemorative coins in recognition of the U. S. Capitol Visitor Center, construction of which was planned to commence the following year at the Capitol’s East Plaza and be completed in 2005. For the first time since the bloated Olympic coin program of 1995-96, the U. S. Mint would produce the familiar three-coin set consisting of copper-nickel-clad half dollar, silver dollar and gold half eagle. The mintage limits for these coins were 750,000, 500,000 and 100,000, respectively, and surcharges obtained through their sale would be used to fund in part the construction of the visitor center. ........ For this program, the U. S. Mint returned to its former practice, abandoned for the several preceding commemoratives, of using designs submitted by outside artists. For example, the obverse of the half dollar was designed by freelance artist Dean McMullen. It features a driver and rider in an antique carriage, with the proposed visitor center to the right. Behind these is a featureless silhouette of the Capitol building, with the words “U.S. CAPITOL” and the date “1800” beneath. These elements are encircled within 50 stars, and the date of coining is at the bottom. The initials of the designer and the sculptor are placed beneath the visitor center at left and right, respectively. Statutory mottoes complete this side. ....... The reverse of this coin is a composite of designs submitted by Alex Shagin and Marcel Jovine. Its theme is the first U. S. Congress to convene in the Capitol in 1800. A circle of sixteen stars, representing the number of states at the time, encloses the following inscriptions: “1800 6th CONGRESS / SENATE 32 SENATORS / HOUSE 106 MEMBERS.” The various legends mandated by law complete this design, with the initials of the designers and the sculptor separating them. The coin’s mintmark is seen at the right at three o’clock. ~~~~

Jaime Hernandez

The 2001-P Capitol Visitor Commemorative Half Dollar was issued to commemorate the convening of the Capitol Building in 1800.

Issue Date: February 28, 2001

Pre Issue Price: $8.75

Regular Issue Price: $9.75