In 1927, sculptor Gutzon Borglum began a monumental artistic undertaking in the Black Hills of South Dakota. His subjects were 4 great leaders representing the birth, growth and preservation of the country – 1st President George Washington, who commanded America’s Revolutionary War forces; 3rd President Thomas Jefferson, who doubled the size of the country with the Louisiana Purchase; 16th President Abraham Lincoln, who preserved the Union during the Civil War; and 26th President Theodore Roosevelt, who put over 230 million acres under public protection. The massive stone tribute, known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” took 14 years to complete.
Depicting the colossal sculpture on the obverse, this low-mintage clad half dollar was struck in 1991 for the Golden (50th) Anniversary of the completion of Mount Rushmore. The reverse features the iconic American bison and the inscription golden anniversary. Here’s another chance to own this prized tribute to the world’s greatest mountain carving, which celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2021!