First in Flight Centennial commemorative coins
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The First in Flight Centennial commemorative coins are a series of commemorative coins issued by the
United States Mint The United States Mint is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce, as well as controlling the movement of bullion. It does not produce paper money; tha ...
in 2003. The coins, issued in
half dollar The term "half dollar" refers to a half-unit of several currencies that are named "dollar". One dollar ( $1) is normally divided into subsidiary currency of 100 cents, so a half dollar is equal to 50 cents. These half dollars (aka 50 cent pieces) ...
,
dollar Dollar is the name of more than 20 currencies. They include the Australian dollar, Brunei dollar, Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Jamaican dollar, Liberian dollar, Namibian dollar, New Taiwan dollar, New Zealand dollar, Singapore dollar, ...
, and
eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, j ...
($10) denominations, commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first controlled flight of a powered heavier-than-air aircraft. The coins were authorized b
Public Law 105-124


Half dollar

The First In Flight half dollar was struck in the standard half dollar composition of
nickel Nickel is a chemical element with symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel is a hard and ductile transition metal. Pure nickel is chemically reactive but large pieces are slow ...
-clad
copper Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from la, cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkis ...
. The obverse of the coin features the Wright Brothers Monument, while the reverse features an image of the ''
Wright Flyer The ''Wright Flyer'' (also known as the ''Kitty Hawk'', ''Flyer'' I or the 1903 ''Flyer'') made the first sustained flight by a manned heavier-than-air powered and controlled aircraft—an airplane—on December 17, 1903. Invented and flown b ...
'' making its historic flight. 750,000 half dollars were authorized, of which 109,710 proof and 57,122 uncirculated coins were minted at the
Philadelphia Mint The Philadelphia Mint in Philadelphia was created from the need to establish a national identity and the needs of commerce in the United States. This led the Founding Fathers of the United States to make an establishment of a continental national ...
.


Silver dollar

The First in Flight dollar coin was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, similar to the standard composition of the dollar coin up until 1935. The obverse features profiles of the Wright brothers, while the reverse features an image of the ''Wright Flyer'' over the dunes at
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina Kill Devil Hills is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,633 at the 2020 census, up from 6,683 in 2010. It is the most populous settlement in both Dare County and on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The ...
. Public Law 105-124 authorized 500,000 silver dollars, of which 190,240 proof and 53,533 uncirculated coins were produced at the Philadelphia Mint.


Gold eagle

A $10 eagle coin was also produced, with a composition of 90% gold, 6% silver, and 4% copper. This was the first time a commemorative eagle was produced with this composition since 1985, and as of 2019 was the last time a commemorative eagle was produced with this composition. The obverse features a portrait of Orville and Wilbur Wright, while the reverse features an eagle in flight above an image of the ''Wright Flyer''. 100,000 gold eagles were authorized, of which 21,676 proof and 10,009 uncirculated coins were minted at Philadelphia.


See also

* * *
United States commemorative coins The United States Mint has minted numerous commemorative coins to commemorate persons, places, events, and institutions since 1848. Many of these coins are not intended for general circulation, but are still legal tender. The mint also produces c ...
* List of United States commemorative coins and medals (2000s)


Notes

: A commemorative eagle was issued in 2018 with a composition of 99.99% gold, and another eagle is scheduled for release in 2020 with that composition.


References

{{US commemorative coinage (2000s) Wright brothers Modern United States commemorative coins