American Innovation $1 Coin - Virginia

The American Innovation $1 coin program was approved by the United States on June 20, 2018. It was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 18, 2018. On December 14, 2018, the program was officially launched. However, these coins are not being released into circulation and are available at premium bags and rolls directly from the United States Mint. These uncirculated coins will hold either a "D" or "P" mintmark, signifying its mintage at the Philadelphia Mint or the Denver Mint.

The 2021 Virginia innovation dollar coin is from the Denver Mint. This Virginia $1 coin depicts the engineering marvel of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is a 17.6-mile bridge-tunnel that crosses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and the Hampton Roads harbor. The 50 year old Bridge-Tunnel was an engineering marvel.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge was opened in 1964, spanning more than 17 miles of open water. It connects southeastern Virginia to the Delmarva Peninsula. It comprises 12 miles of low-level trestle, two-mile-long tunnels, two bridges, two miles of the causeway, and four man-made islands. This unique structure is considered the world's largest bridge-tunnel complex and is known as one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world.

The first step in the construction of the bridge, was to find out where the soil under the water was dense to place the concrete cylinders that would hold up the bridge. To figure out where the sand was most resistant, they drilled a pipe down in different points in the bay floor.The ideal soil was not available in a straight line across the water. This is why the bridge curves.

With the use of a machine, they drove the piles down to the sand. Later, they cut each pile according to the plan and filled it with concrete and sand. A total of 5,000 piles make up the bridge. Three piles sitting side by side were connected using a concrete block on top of them. The plan also had two tunnels to provide gaps in the bridge, making it easy for the ships to function.

One other stunning fact about this bridge is that it goes underwater in two spots so that the ships can easily get in and out of the bay area. This 17.6 mile bridge-tunnel runs over and under water as deep as 95feet in some places and shallow as four feet in others. This remarkable bridge was completed in 1964, and the investment made to build it was $200 million. Johnson, who had worked on the bridge for almost 20 years, and his crew went out every day to check if the bridge was functioning safely. In the next few years, new tunnels will be built beside the originals. A second tunnel is planned to be built by 2030 or later.

The Design

The reverse of the coin showcases a cross-section cutaway, illustrating the ingenuity involved in constructing it.

The obverse design of the coin is a beautiful dramatic representation of the Statue Of Liberty in profile. It also has stylized gear, which represents industry and innovation. The reverse designer of the coin was Matt Swaim, and the sculptor engraver was John P. McGraw. The obverse designer of the coin was Justin Kunz, and the sculptor engraver was Phebe Hemphill.

Inscriptions

The obverse inscriptions have the wordings "In GOD WE TRUST" and the $1 symbol. The reverse inscriptions have the letters "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "VIRGINIA." The included inscriptions are 2021, Mintmark, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Specifications

The coin is a composition of Manganese-Brass weighing 8.1g with a diameter of 26.49mm, thickness 2.00mm completed with edge lettering.

Each of these coins is in brilliant uncirculated conditions.