The 2019 New Jersey American Innovation Dollar (Buy on eBay) was the third regular issue of the series. The coin recognizes the invention of the light bulb.
While work on light bulbs had begun in the 1830s, these early models had short lifespans, used excessive energy, or were expensive to produce. After much experimentation, Thomas Edison and his researchers in Menlo Park, New Jersey, created a bulb with a carbon filament that could last 14.5 hours. The bulb’s lifespan was improved to 1,200 hours with continued work and other innovations. This led to the widespread availability of commercially manufactured light bulbs and allowed people to easily control the light in their homes and businesses.
The coin’s reverse design features an Edison light bulb against an ornate background. The inscriptions read “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “NEW JERESY.” The reverse was designed by Paul C. Balan and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
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:
- 2019-P: 521,175
- 2019-D: 476,275
- 2019-S Proof: 137,696
- 2019-S Reverse Proof: 46,785
Other 2019 American Innovation Dollars:
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