2000 Millennium Coinage and Currency Set in Original Government Packaging (OGP)

The New Millennium

Coinage can tell us much about the kinds of people who issued it and the times in which they lived. Fascinating information about wars, politics, religion, philosophy, art, sports -- and so much more -- is disclosed through the study of a nation's coinage. This is as true of the coins of the world we live in today as it is of the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome.

And although not as old as the history of coinage, the history of paper currency is equally revealing. Think of the paper currency that Marco Polo brought back to Italy from China and how much it must have told Eurpoeans about the mysteries of the East.

Now, as the world enters a promising new millennium, coinage and currency are poised for yet another step in this continuing evolution, influenced by the exciting new age of computers. Comprised of the first U.S. dollar coin, silver dollar and dollar note of the new millennium, this history United States Millennium Coinage and Currency Set is an especially significant keepsake of a momentous time in our history.

Uncirculated 2000 Golden Dollar Featuring Sacagawea

First issued by the U.S. Mint in 2000, the Golden Dollar featuring Sacagawea honors the courageous Shoshone teenager and mother who accompanied Lewis and Clark in 1805 on their formidable journey up the Missouri River and across America's unexplored wilderness to the Pacific Ocean and back. Obverse design To involve the American public, 13 semifinal obverse and reverse designs were posted on the Mint's website in December 1998. Over three weeks, 130,000 e-mail messages were received. Then Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin affirmed the public's enthusiastic choice of sculptor Glenna Goodacre's three-quarter view of Sacagawea with her infant son, Jean Baptiste, by officially selecting this design for the Golden Dollar. Reverse design When the U.S. Mint was established, it was ordered that "upon the reverse of each of the gold and silver coins there shall be the figure or representation of an eagle." Symbol of courage, strength and freedom,the American bald eagle is captured on the 2000 Golden Dollar featuring Sacagawea by designer Thomas D. Rogers flying high amidst 17 stars, the number of American states in 1804, when Sacagawea set out on her historic trek with Lewis and Clark.

Uncirculated 2000 American Eagle Silver Dollar

Many U.S. coins depict historically significant people. Others, however, use symbolism to make a more powerful statement, like Liberty as an allegoric female figure, and the eagle as a symbol of strength and power. Both are magnificently depicted on the Silver Eagle, a meticulously-crafted work of art. Obverse design The allegoric figure of Liberty was portrayed on the first coins officially struck by the U.S. Mint, as well as on many series of American coins since. Based on Adolph A. Weinman's design for the 1916 U.S. half dollar, the image of Walking Liberty featured on the obverse of the silver bullion dollar was revived in 1986. The Silver Eagle is widely considered one of the most beautiful coins ever produced by the U.S. Mint. Reverse design Long revered for their fearsome beauty, eagles have appeared on coins, seals, flags and standards since ancient times. The American bald eagle became the national emblem of the United States by Act of Congress in 1782. It appears in heraldic majesty on the reverse of the American Eagle Silver Dollar, which was designed by John Mercanti and inspired by the Great Seal of the United States. The 13 stars celebrate America's 13 original states.

Uncirculated 2000 George Washington One Dollar Note

Produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, this one-dollar Federal Reserve Note is from the first series of the new millennium. Of special significance, notes containing 20000 in the serial number were specifically pulled form production for this product to honor the new millennium. The obverse depicts George Washington, based on a painting by Gilbert Stuart and engraved by G.F.C. Smillie in 1918. The reverse shows the face and back of the Great Seal of the United States, adopted in 1782 and first appearing together on the same note in 1935.