Union (United States coin) facts for kids
| United states | |
| Value | 100 US Dollars |
|---|---|
| Composition | 90% Au 10% Cu |
| Obverse | |
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| Design | Liberty holding the caduceus and a branch (fantasy coin shown) |
| Designer | George T. Morgan |
| Design date | 1876 |
| Reverse | |
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| Design | Eagle (fantasy coin shown) |
| Designer | George T. Morgan |
| Design date | 1876 |
The Union was a special coin that was planned for the United States dollar. It would have been worth $100! But this coin was never actually made. The idea was stopped before any test coins, called pattern coins, could even be created.
The Idea Behind the Union Coin
Back in 1854, some business people in San Francisco asked the government for a new coin. They sent a special request, called a petition, to the Secretary of the Treasury, James Guthrie. At that time, there were no paper money bills (called banknotes) used in California. So, they wanted a large $50 gold coin to help with business.
Secretary Guthrie liked the idea. He suggested making both a $50 gold coin, called a half union, and an even bigger $100 gold coin, called a union. The plan for these coins went to the Senate, which is part of the US government. The Senate approved it on June 16, 1854. However, the plan did not pass in the House of Representatives, which is the other part of the government. So, the idea for the Union coin was put on hold.
Years later, in 1876, a talented artist named George T. Morgan worked for the United States Mint. He drew some designs for what a $100 Union coin could look like. He thought these designs might be used if the $50 half union coin became popular.
But the Mint decided that the half union coin was too heavy and difficult to make. It weighed about 83.6 grams (or 2.95 ounces). Because of this, the idea for the $100 Union coin was also dropped and forgotten.
What If? Fantasy Union Coins
Around 2005, George T. Morgan's original drawings for the Union coin were found. They were shared with people who study and collect coins, a group called the numismatic community. Everyone could finally see what the coin might have looked like!
Since then, some private companies that make coins have created their own versions of Morgan's design. These are called "fantasy pieces" because they were never official US coins. Collectors can buy these special coins, which are made in both silver and gold.
Modern $100 Coins Today
Even though the original Union coin was never made, the US Mint does make $100 coins today. Since 1997, they have produced the American Platinum Eagle coin. This is a special coin made of platinum.
More recently, the US Mint has also made $100 gold coins. These include the American Liberty union coins from 2015, 2019, and 2021. There was also a special American Liberty 225th Anniversary union coin made in 2017. These modern coins are made of very pure, 24 karat gold.
