American Innovation® $1 Coin – New Hampshire
- Year of Issue: 2021
- Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 115-197
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Background
The American Innovation $1 Coin representing New Hampshire recognizes the invention of the first home video game console by Ralph Baer. In 1966, Baer began investigating how to play games on a television. He and his team developed the “Brown Box,” a prototype for the first multi-player, multi-program video game system, which paved the way for all video game systems that followed. Baer is recognized as “The Father of Video Games.”
Characteristics
The obverse (heads) design features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile. The obverse also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation.
The reverse (tails) design depicts Ralph Baer’s brown box game “Handball” on the right side of the coin. The left side of the coin features “New Hampshire” and “Player 1” on an incused background. “IN HOME VIDEO GAME SYSTEM” and “RALPH BAER” encircle the outside of the coin in a text that is meant to pay homage to Ralph Baer’s Odyssey game. The design of the coin is also symbolic of an arcade token.
Obverse Inscriptions
- IN GOD WE TRUST
- $1
Reverse Inscriptions
- NEW HAMPSHIRE
- PLAYER 1
- IN-HOME VIDEO GAME SYSTEM
- RALPH BAER
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Incused (edge) Inscriptions
- 2021
- Mint mark
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
Mint and Mint Mark
Specifications
| Composition | Weight | Diameter | Thickness | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Manganese-Brass
88.5% Cu
6% Zn
3.5% Mn
2% Ni
|
8.1 g |
1.043 in.
26.49 mm
|
2.00 mm | Edge-Lettering |
Artist Information
Obverse- Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill, Medallic Artist
- Designer: Justin Kunz, Artistic Infusion Program
- Sculptor: Eric David Custer
- Designer: Christina Hess, Artistic Infusion Program