WASHINGTON – The United States Mint announced today that it will begin selling the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar and the Lewis and Clark Coinage and Currency Set on May 12, 2004, at 12:00 Noon (ET). Public Law 106-126, the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes a maximum mintage of 500,000 silver one-dollar coins to commemorate the bicentennial of the expedition of Lewis and Clark.

A portion of the total proceeds from the sale of each coin is authorized to be paid to the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service to support the activities associated with this commemoration.

Designed by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver, the obverse of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar depicts Captains Lewis and Clark on a stream bank, planning another day of exploration. Lewis is holding his journal, and Clark is pointing into the distance. The reverse features two feathers, representing the American Indian cultures touched by the Corps of Discovery, and a rendition of the Jefferson Peace Medal presented by Lewis and Clark to important leaders they encountered along the trail. The 17 stars represent the number of states in the Union when the expedition began in 1804.

The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar is available in proof and uncirculated versions, and is included in two limited edition sets: the Lewis and Clark Coinage and Currency Set, and the Lewis & Clark Coin & Pouch Set. Both the proof and uncirculated coins will bear the mint mark of the United States Mint at Philadelphia.

The Lewis and Clark Coinage and Currency Set, which is a limited edition of only 50,000 sets priced at $90 each, features an uncirculated Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar, a silver-plated bronze duplicate of the Jefferson Peace Medal, each of the two uncirculated 2004-dated nickels in the Westward Journey Nickel Series™, a 2004-dated uncirculated Golden Dollar depicting Sacagawea, and two insightful booklets written by archivists from the National Archives and Records Administration on the expedition and the Louisiana Purchase. In addition, the set includes a replica Series 1901 $10 “Bison” United States Note from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which bears the likenesses of Lewis and Clark on either side of a majestic bison, and three Lewis and Clark expedition stamps from the United States Postal Service. This set will be available for order on May 12.

The Lewis & Clark Coin & Pouch Set, also a limited edition of up to 50,000 sets priced at $120 each, contains a proof Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar and a handmade American Indian pouch with its own Certificate of Authenticity, individually signed by the American Indian artisan who made it. This product will not be available for sale until September 7, 2004, because of the time required to hand-craft each pouch.

Cut, tanned and decorated by artisans who are descendants of some of the many American Indians encountered by Lewis and Clark, these pouches are as individual as the tribes they represent. No two are exactly alike. [Because of the unique design of the American Indian pouches, each will be randomly selected.

The Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar is available during the introductory sales period starting May 12, and ending June 11, 2004. Each coin or coin set will come in standard United States Mint packaging.

The proof silver dollar is available during the introductory sales period for $35, and for $39 thereafter. The uncirculated silver dollar is available during the introductory sales period for $33, and $35 thereafter.

Customers can purchase the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar by using the United States Mint’s secure website, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders.