2025 American Innovation Dollar for Arkansas: The 2025 American Innovation Dollar for Arkansas is now available, capturing the legacy of Raye Montague, a trailblazing engineer who revolutionized naval design. This coin is part of the U.S. Mint’s ongoing American Innovation $1 Coin Program, celebrating pivotal advancements and innovators across the nation. With its striking design and compelling story, this coin is the first of four to be released in 2025, offering collectors an extraordinary addition to their collections.
This article delves into the details of the Arkansas Innovation Dollar, from its historical significance to design elements, pricing, and how to purchase it. For coin enthusiasts and history buffs alike, this release is an exciting opportunity to own a piece of America’s innovative spirit.
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Coin Program | American Innovation $1 Coin Series |
| Honoree | Raye Montague – Pioneering naval engineer from Arkansas |
| Reverse Design | Features Montague and a naval ship, symbolizing her groundbreaking work in ship design |
| Obverse Design | Statue of Liberty (common across all coins in the series) |
| Pricing | $36.25 for 25-coin rolls; $123.50 for 100-coin bags |
| Production Limits | 8,400 rolls (Philadelphia), 7,350 rolls (Denver), 3,150 bags (Philadelphia), 2,950 bags (Denver) |
| Order Online | Available on the U.S. Mint website |
The American Innovation $1 Coin Program
Launched in 2018, the American Innovation $1 Coin Program honors achievements that have shaped the history and culture of the United States. Each state, territory, and district is represented in the program with a unique coin design. These coins celebrate breakthroughs in science, engineering, technology, and other fields.
The 2025 Arkansas Innovation Dollar is the 25th release in this ongoing series. With four new designs issued annually, the program continues to highlight the diversity of contributions made by Americans.
Honoring Raye Montague: A Pioneer in Engineering
A Trailblazer from Arkansas
The 2025 American Innovation Dollar for Arkansas pays tribute to Raye Montague, an Arkansas-born engineer whose innovations transformed naval shipbuilding. Montague was the first person to use a computer to create a naval ship design, achieving in just 19 hours what traditionally took months. Her work on the U.S. Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate solidified her as a trailblazer in the engineering field.
A Story of Resilience
Montague’s achievements came in the face of significant barriers. As a woman of color in the mid-20th century, she overcame discrimination and limited access to resources to leave an indelible mark on her profession. The coin not only honors her technical accomplishments but also celebrates her resilience and determination.
The Coin’s Design Features
Reverse (Tails Side)
The reverse design of the Arkansas Innovation Dollar highlights Montague’s groundbreaking career. It features her portrait overlooking a naval ship from the Oliver Hazard Perry class, the design she pioneered. A grid pattern across the background symbolizes the computer-aided drafting techniques she utilized.
Key inscriptions include:
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”
- “ARKANSAS”
- “RAYE MONTAGUE”
This design was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Elana Hagler and sculpted by Mint medallic artist Eric David Custer.
Obverse (Heads Side)
As with all coins in the American Innovation series, the obverse features a depiction of the Statue of Liberty. This consistent design was created by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. It includes the inscriptions:
- “IN GOD WE TRUST”
- “$1”
Additionally, the edge of the coin is incused with “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” the year “2025,” and the mint mark (P for Philadelphia or D for Denver).
Pricing and Availability
The Arkansas Innovation Dollar is available in two formats, catering to different preferences among collectors:
- 25-Coin Rolls: Priced at $36.25, these rolls contain circulation-quality coins from either the Philadelphia or Denver Mint.
- 100-Coin Bags: Priced at $123.50, these bags offer a bulk option for serious collectors.
Production and Limits
The U.S. Mint has set strict production limits for this release:
- Philadelphia: 8,400 rolls and 3,150 bags
- Denver: 7,350 rolls and 2,950 bags
To ensure fair distribution, the Mint has imposed an initial household limit of 10 rolls or bags per product.
How to Order
These coins are available for purchase through the U.S. Mint’s official website. Visit the American Innovation section of the site to secure your rolls or bags while supplies last.
Why This Coin Matters
Celebrating Innovation
The Arkansas Innovation Dollar shines a light on the ingenuity and perseverance of Raye Montague. Her legacy serves as a testament to the transformative power of innovation and determination.
A Unique Design for Collectors
With its intricate reverse design and meaningful tribute, this coin stands out as one of the most visually and historically significant in the series.
Limited Availability
As with all American Innovation Dollars, this coin has a finite production run. Collectors eager to add it to their collections should act quickly to avoid missing out.
Other 2025 American Innovation Coins
The Arkansas Innovation Dollar is the first of four coins scheduled for release in 2025. The remaining coins will honor innovations from Florida, Michigan, and Texas:
- Florida $1 Coin: Commemorating the Space Shuttle program and its monumental contributions to space exploration.
- Michigan $1 Coin: Highlighting Ransom Olds’ pioneering assembly line concept, which revolutionized manufacturing.
- Texas $1 Coin: Celebrating NASA’s Mission Control in Houston, a key player in America’s space achievements.
These coins will be available individually throughout the year and as part of proof and reverse proof sets.
FAQs
1. What is the theme of the Arkansas Innovation Dollar?
The coin honors Raye Montague, an engineer from Arkansas who revolutionized naval ship design with her computer-aided techniques.
2. How much do the rolls and bags cost?
The 25-coin rolls are priced at $36.25, while the 100-coin bags cost $123.50.
3. Where can I purchase the 2025 Arkansas Innovation Dollar?
You can purchase rolls and bags from the U.S. Mint’s online store under the American Innovation product section.
4. Are there production limits for this coin?
Yes, production is capped at 8,400 rolls from Philadelphia, 7,350 rolls from Denver, 3,150 bags from Philadelphia, and 2,950 bags from Denver.
5. What are the other coins in the 2025 series?
The series includes coins celebrating innovations from Florida (Space Shuttle), Michigan (assembly line), and Texas (NASA Mission Control).
Final Thoughts
The 2025 American Innovation Dollar for Arkansas is a meaningful addition to the American Innovation $1 Coin Program. Honoring Raye Montague’s legacy, this coin blends history, art, and innovation in a collectible format.
Don’t miss your chance to own this exceptional coin. Order yours today and celebrate the spirit of American ingenuity. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and explore more coins in this fascinating series!
