Show Revolutionary dollar released to banks A revolutionary dollar the last of the three bicentennial coins designed to commemorate commemorate com the nations nation's birthday was released to commercial banks in the west beginning October 13 About million bicentennial bicentennial tennial dollars have been produced by the United States Mint lint in celebration of the nations nation's founding Vice President Grant Holman said The coins will be distributed n nationwide through the 12 F Federal deral Reserve Banks These bicentennial coins represent the most significant coinage change to occur since the United States Mint was founded found found- ed ed EARLIER THIS TillS summer public distribution tion began for the theother theother theother other two bicentennial coins coins coins- the quarter and the half The faces of of all thre three i tennial coins are the same as standard coins with the exception exception ex ex- ex of the date The bicentennial coins have a double da date te 1976 1776 stamped on the face below the likeness of on the dollar Kennedy on the half half- dollar and Washington on the quarter However all the bicentennial coins have totally new designs on the tails or reverse sides The dollar displays a combination combination com com- of the Liberty Bell and the moon the half-dollar half has a replica of Independence Hall while the quarter depicts a colonial drummer The designs for the historic coins were selected from thousands of entries submitted by Americans in a nationwide competition Previously only one other coin the Buffalo nickel was designed by y a private citizen TilE THE BICENTENNIAL coins are being struck at the Philadelphia and Denver mints They are the same size shape and weight as standard coins and like their counterparts composed of copper and nickel All bicentennial coins minted between July 4 1975 and July 1 1977 must bear the 1976 1776 date as mandated by the enabling legislation that established the Bicentennial Coinage Pennies nickels and dimes are unaffected by the bicentennial program and willbe will willbe willbe be imprinted with the dates when they are struck |