Numismatic

2018-P American Innovation $1 - First Signed Patent BU

---

The American Innovation dollar series debuted with a design honoring the spirit of discovery and development. This brilliant uncirculated dollar, struck at the Philadelphia mint, represents the inaugural release of a multi-year program celebrating significant breakthroughs from every state in the order they joined the union. Each year, four distinct designs are introduced to showcase the creative drive that shaped the nation. On the obverse, a side-profile view of the Statue of Liberty stands alongside the traditional motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the face value of "$1". The reverse features a tribute to early industrial achievements, displaying the signature of George Washington above a set of stylized gears that symbolize progress and industry. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "AMERICAN INNOVATORS" frame this mechanical motif. Unlike traditional coinage, key details are incused directly on the edge. This includes the date of 2018, the "P" mint mark, and the national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM". The coin is composed of a pure copper center bonded to outer layers containing 77 percent copper, 12 percent zinc, 7 percent manganese, and 4 percent nickel, giving it a distinctive golden appearance.