07 March 2017
|
Capitol obverse
The British Virgin Islands has honoured one of its most famous sons, the architect William Thornton, with a $1 coin in the shape of one of his best-known creations.
The British Virgin Islands has honoured one of its most famous sons, the architect William Thornton, with a $1 coin in the shape of one of his best-known creations.
Coin manufacturer Pobjoy Mint have produced the coin for British Virgin Islands, with a new and exclusive effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, and the Capitol building in Washington DC on the reverse.
The United States Capitol is the headquarters of the US Congress and the seat of the Legislative branch of the US Federal Government. Its foundation stone was laid in 1792, after a $500 competition which invited architects to submit their design for the proposed building. Amateur British Virgin Islands architect William Thornton made a last minute entry and was chosen as the winner.
Thornton’s sixteen-acre building was completed in 1800, to a design inspired by the architect’s European travels, including architectural references to the Pantheon and the Louvre in Paris. The Capitol’s interior is particularly fine and is home to more than 100 statues, and a private subway which transports senators to neighbouring buildings.
To order the coin, visit Pobjoy Mint’s website.
Coin details
Issue date: 6 March 2017
Diameter: 55mm x 41mm
Weight: 35.40g
Issue limit: 5,000
.jpg)
