2021 NORTH CAROLINA AMERICAN INNOVATION DOLLAR ROLL Denver MINT/25

The United States Mint American Innovation® $1 Coin Program is a multi-year series honoring innovation and innovators with $1 coins from each State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands.  The North Carolina coin is the fourth of 2021.

The American Innovation $1 Coin representing North Carolina recognizes innovations in creating higher-education opportunities for all. The University of North Carolina became the first public university to formally open when it convened classes in 1795. It was the Nation’s only public university to confer degrees in the 18th century.

This American Innovation $1 Coin Roll (North Carolina) contains 25 coins with uncirculated finishes minted at the Denver Mint.

The reverse (tails) design features a stack of three textbooks with “FIRST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY” on the spine of the middle book. A lamp of knowledge is perched atop the books, and olive branches curve around the edge of the design. Additional inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “NORTH CAROLINA.”

The obverse (heads) design features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “$1.” It also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation.

The year of minting, mint mark, and inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are incused on the edge of the coins.