The 2003 First Flight $10 Gold Coin was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the historic first manned powered flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright, which took place on December 17, 2003. Besides the bimetallic $10 gold coin issued a few years ago, this was the first $10 gold commemorative coin issued by the United States Mint since 1984.
The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Orville and Wilbur Wright. The surrounding inscriptions read “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, the centennial dates “1903 2003″, “Orville & Wilbur Wright”, and “First Flight Centennial”. The obverse was designed by Donna Weaver.
The reverse features the Wright 1903 Flyer with an eagle in flight above. Inscriptions include “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, and “Ten Dollars”. This was designed by Norman E. Nemeth.
The 2003 First Flight Gold Coins were produced at the West point Mint and offered for sale individually. The maximum authorized mintage was 100,000. The coins went on sale August 1, 2003 and were initially available at pre-issue discount prices. Regular pricing later went into effect. Sales for all commemorative coins of this program ended on July 31, 2004.
Coin Specifications
Designer: Donna Weaver (obverse), Norman E. Nemeth (reverse)
Weight: 16.7180 g
Composition: 90% Gold (0.4837 ounces of gold)
Diameter: 27 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 100,000
2003-W Uncirculated First Flight $10 Gold Coin
Pre-Issue Price: $340.00
Regular Price: $365.00
Final Mintage: 10,009
2003-W Proof First Flight $10 Gold Coin
Pre-Issue Price: $350.00
Regular Price: $375.00
Final Mintage: 21,676
The 2003 First Flight Silver Dollar was issued along with a $10 gold and clad half dollar to celebrate the centennial of the first powered, manned flight. This was the only commemorative coin program for the year.
The obverse of the silver dollar features a portrait of Orville and Wilbur Wright facing left. The similarly designed gold coin features their portraits facing front. The inscriptions on the coin include “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “1903″, “2003″, and “Orville & Wilbur Wright”. The design is by T. James Ferrell.
The reverse features the Wright 1903 Flyer, in flight above the dunes at Kill Devil Hill. Above the Flyer is the inscription “One Dollar”, with “United States of America” and “E Pluribus Unum” appearing on the dunes below. The reverse was designed by Norman E. Nemeth.
The First Flight Silver Dollars were produced at the Philadelphia Mint in proof and uncirculated versions. The coins were initially priced at a pre-issue discount price, and later available at regular pricing. A surcharge added to the cost of each silver dollar was payable to the First Flight Centennial Foundation. The silver dollars eventually sold about half of the maximum authorized mintage of 500,000 coins.
Coin Specifications
Designer: T. James Ferrell (obverse), Norman E. Nemeth (reverse)
Weight: 26.7300 g
Composition: 90% Silver (0.7736 ounces of silver)
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 500,000
2003-P Uncirculated First Flight Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $31.00
Regular Price: $33.00
Final Mintage: 53,533
2003-P Proof First Flight Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price:$33.00
Regular Price: $37.00
Final Mintage: 190,240
The 2003 First Flight Half Dollar rounded out the offerings related to the First Flight Centennial Commemorative Coin Program, which also included a silver dollar and $10 gold coin. These three coins were the only commemoratives dated 2003, available for sale from August 1, 2003 to July 31, 2004.
The obverse of the half dollar features Wright Monument located at Kill Devil Hill near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The inscriptions include “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “Wright Monument”, and the date “2003″. This was designed by John Mercanti.
The reverse features an image of the Wright 1903 Flyer making it historic first powered manned flight. Orville Wright is aboard the Flyer with Wilbur on the ground below. The inscriptions include “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, and “Half Dollar”. The reverse was designed by Norman E. Nemeth.
The First Flight Half Dollars had a maximum authorized mintage of 750,000 across all options, but only managed to sell a fraction of this amount. Despite having one of the lowest mintages for a modern commemorative half dollar, the coins do not carry a significant premium. The proof and uncirculated versions were both produced at the Philadelphia Mint and offered for sale individually.
Coin Specifications
Designer: John Mercanti (obverse), Norman E. Nemeth (reverse)
Weight: 11.3400 g
Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 750,000
2003-P Uncirculated First Flight Half Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $9.75
Regular Price: $10.75
Final Mintage: 57,122
2003-P Proof First Flight Half Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $12.50
Regular Price: $13.50
Final Mintage: 109,710
