1992 Columbus Silver Dollar

The 1992 Columbus Silver Dollar (Buy on eBay) was issued for the quincentenary of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. Surcharges from the sale of the coins were used to benefit the newly established Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coins and Fellowship Foundation.

1992 Columbus Silver Dollar

The obverse design of the coin features a full length portrait Christopher Columbus standing with a banner in his right hand and a scroll in his left. He stands next to a globe and there is a scene of ships and land in the upper portion of the background. The inscriptions read “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “Columbus Quincentenary” and the date “1992”. The obverse was designed by John Mercanti.

On the reverse is a split image of the Santa Maria and the Discovery space shuttle, intended to provide a striking contrast between the explorations then and now. Inscriptions include “United States of America”, “One Dollar”, “E Pluribus Unum”, and the anniversary dates “1492-1992”. The reverse was designed by Thomas D. Rogers.

From a maximum authorized mintage of 4 million coins, the US Mint recorded sales of 492,190. The uncirculated version of the of the coin was struck at the Denver Mint and proof version was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

The US Mint offered the 1992 Columbus Silver Dollar in an array of packaging options. The coins were available individually in proof or uncirculated, in two or three coin sets, either proof or uncirculated, and finally in a comprehensive six coin set containing each coin of the program in both proof and uncirculated versions.

Coin Specifications

Designer: John Mercanti (obverse), Thomas D. Rodgers (reverse)
Weight: 26.7300 g
Composition: 90% Silver (0.7736 ounces of silver)
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 4,000,000

1992-D Uncirculated Columbus Silver Dollar

Pre-Issue Price: $23.00
Regular Price:
$28.00
Final Mintage: 106,949

1992-P Proof Columbus Silver Dollar

Pre-Issue Price: $27.00
Regular Price:
$31.00
Final Mintage: 385,241

Other 1992 Columbus Commemorative Coins

1992 Columbus Half Dollar
1992 Columbus Gold Coin