1996 (W) Smithsonian Institution 150th Anniversary Commemorative Five Dollar Gold

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,410 MS70 07-02-2006 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1996 (W) Smithsonian Institution 150th Anniversary Commemorative Five Dollar Gold is a commemorative dollar struck at the West Point Mint. With a mintage of just 9,068, this is a scarce issue sought by specialists. The gold coin companion to the Smithsonian dollar, this $5 piece features the institution's benefactor James Smithson, a British mineralogist and chemist who never visited the United States but left his fortune to create the Smithsonian. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of James Smithson with the inscription 'For the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge' and dates 1846-1996, while the reverse displays the Smithsonian's sunburst logo. Designed by Al Maletsky/T. James Ferrell. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 8.36 grams, 21.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #9744. The Smithsonian $5 gold is one of the lower-mintage modern gold commemoratives, making it a relatively scarce issue sought by series collectors.