Bill of Rights Half Dollar

Commemorative Coins

Background

Released on January 22, 1993, this coin was authorized in commemoration of the first ten amendments of the Constitution of the United States, known as the Bill of Rights, and the role that James Madison played in supporting their adoption.

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Recipient Organization: James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund was established in 1986 by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Act (20 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.). Surcharges from coin sales were to be used by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund to encourage teaching and graduate study of the Constitution of the United States, its roots, its formation, its principles, and its development.

Commemorative Coin Surcharges

Commemorative coin programs are created by acts of Congress to honor a person, place, or event. Surcharges from the sales of these coins help fund a variety of organizations and projects that benefit the public. Commemorative coins are only available from the United States Mint for a limited time, as specified by public law.

Characteristics

The obverse design of the coin features James Madison penning the Bill of Right and Montpelier in the background.

The reverse of the coin features the torch of freedom.

Obverse Inscriptions

  • JAMES MADISON
  • FATHER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS
  • IN GOD WE TRUST
  • LIBERTY
  • 1993

Reverse Inscriptions

  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  • E PLURIBUS UNUM
  • THE BILL OF RIGHTS
  • OUR BASIC FREEDOMS
  • HALF DOLLAR

Mint and Mint Mark

Artist Information

Obverse
  • Designer: T. James Ferrell
Reverse
  • Designer: Dean McMullen

Related Information

Content last reviewed December 12, 2016

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