The 2023 Mississippi American Innovation Dollar (Buy on eBay) honors the first human lung transplant. Dr. James Hardy and his team performed the historic procedure on June 11, 1963, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
The procedure was the result of several decades of experimental studies and clinical attempts. Following the surgery, the patient lived for only three weeks before dying from renal failure. However, the transplant helped pave the way for lung transplantation in humans and therapies for those with lung disease. Nowadays, lung transplants are well-accepted and routine treatments for select patients with terminal respiratory disease.
The reverse design depicts a pair of human lungs behind the gloved hand of a surgical assistant passing forceps to the hand of a surgeon. The inscriptions read “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “FIRST HUMAN LUNG TRANSPLANT,” and “MISSISSIPPI.” The reverse was designed by medallic artist Craig Campbell and sculpted by Katelyn Arquette of the Artistic Infusion Program.
Specifications:
- Denomination: $1.00
- Composition: 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, 2% nickel
- Diameter: 26.5 mm
- Weight: 8.1g
- Thickness: 2.0 mm
- Edge: lettered
- Mint Mark: “P” (Philadelphia), “D” (Denver), “S” (San Francisco)
Mintages:
- 2023-P: 371,000
- 2023-D: 352,450
- 2023-S Proof: 49,936
- 2023-S Reverse Proof: TBD
Mintages based on U.S. Mint Sales figures as of November 7, 2023
Other 2023 American Innovation Dollars:
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