465) US Capitol Building Nickel-Silver $1 Coin issued by the British Virgin Islands (BOT) issued on the occasion of the 225th Anniversary of the open competition, which was organised to select the architect who proposed the best design for the building: minted by Pobjoy Mint, London on 06.03.2017:

465) US Capitol Building Nickel-Silver $1 Coin issued by the British Virgin Islands (BOT) issued on the occasion of the 225^th Anniversary of the open competition, which was organised to select the architect who proposed the best design for the building: minted by Pobjoy Mint, London on 06.03.2017:

About the US Capitol Building:

The Government and Treasury of the British Virgin Islands (A British Overseas territory – BOT), have issued a unique design which honours the United States Capitol Building by having been minted in the shape of the Capitol Building itself.

The US Capitol or Capitol Building or Capitol Hill is the headquarters of the US Congress – the Senate and the House of Representatives – and the seat of the Legislative branch of the US Federal Government and is located on top of Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

This coin has been issued on the occasion of the 225^th Anniversary of the open competition, which was organised to select the architect who proposed the best design for the building. This photo shows the US Capitol Building with the $1 British Virgin Islands Coin shaped like the dome of the building itself, in the foreground

Derivation of the word “Capitol”:

The word “Capitol” is derived from Latin and is associated with the Roman god Jupiter Optimus Maximus (also called “Jupiter Capitolinus”. Jupiter is called “Brihaspati” in Hindi, in the ancient Hindu texts) whose temple is situated on Capitoline Hill – one of the Seven Hills of Rome.

The competition to design the US Capitol Building:

The initial competition for the new nation’s state house was held in the spring of 1792, a year after the plans for the Presidential Mansion (presently called the “White House”) were finalised and were under implementation. The entry by amateur architect William Thornton, from the British Virgin Islands was quite late in submission and formed the basis for the design of the US Capitol’s iconic shape as is seen today. Thornton, gained inspiration for the frontage of the building from the East front of the Louvre and from the Paris Pantheon. His designs were not received by the judges’ panel until 31.01.1793.

His plans received appreciation both from the first US President – George Washington (who opined that the plans were for a structure of “Grandeur, Simplicity and Beauty”) – and Thomas Jefferson, (who was himself a talented architect). Thornton was declared a winner and awarded a sum of $500 (a princely sum in those days) and his plans were adopted for the US Capitol Building.

The clear winner was William Thornton whose design was selected for construction of the US Capitol Building.

The construction:

The first cornerstone of the Capitol was laid by President Washington in 1793. The construction of the 16-acre building continued till 1800. (In the same year the construction and furnishings of the Presidential Mansion were finished).

The US Capitol building which upon its completion was considered to be one of the grandest structures in the new Republic, with more than 15 acres of floor space built over four levels.

The famous “dome” which is constructed out of cast iron and painted to look like marble – was added in 1855.  At first, the famous dome was not as grand as it appears today, but after being rebuilt in the 1850s-1860s, upon its completion just after the US Civil War (1861-65) in 1866, the dome raised the height of the Capitol building to three times taller than the original structure and had a combined weight of 4,041 metric tonnes.

In 2014, a restoration project of the dome was initiated, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2017.

William Thornton’s 1793 ink and watercolour drawing of the interior plan for the US Capitol building.

The Coin:

This coin has been issued by the British Virgin Islands which is the birth place of William Thornton, the Capitol Building’s architect and has been minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK.

 The Reverse of the $1 British Virgin Islands Coin depicts the dome and columns of the dome which make up the familiar look of the Capitol building. The denomination of the coin “$1” is inscribed under the columns towards the base.

The Obverse of the $1 British Virgin Islands Coin depicts a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in the centre. The name of the issuing British Overseas Territory (BOT)  “BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS” appears above the Queen’s portrait, while he name and the year of issue “2017” appears below her portrait.

The Specifications of the Coin are:

Theme of the Coin: Capitol Building (2017 issue); Denomination: $1 British Virgin Islands; Metallic composition: Nickel-Silver; Diameter/Size: 55 mm x 41 mm; Weight: 35.40 grams; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated; Modifications: Shaped; Mintage: 5,000 pieces. Year of issue: 2017

Presentation case: The coin is being presented in a red, white and blue faux leather pouch, representing the colours of the US Flag.







Links:

Bank of England Banknotes:

1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"

2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.

3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on theStockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn

4) A 20 Pounds Banknote issued on Michael Faraday (a Scientist) issued in 1991, since withdrawn from circulation in 2001 

5) Great Britain's first circulating polymer Banknote issued by the Bank of England in the denomination of 5 Pounds on 13.09.2016

Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes): 

1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
  
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote

Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:

1) The Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: A 5 Pounds Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2014 

British Crown Dependencies:

1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey

2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey

3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey

4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain

5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
  
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015

7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend

8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie

9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda

10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence 

11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003 

12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint

13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence

14) US Capitol Building $1 Coin issued by British Virgin Islands commemorating the 225th Anniversary of the open competition organised to select the architect who proposed the best design for the building 

Famous Battles: 

1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK) 

2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK

Gold Coins:
  
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark

2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark 

Silver Coins:

1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns 

British India Coinage:

 1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835

2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress

3) Edward VII: King & Emperor  Coinage

4) George V King Emperor Coinage

5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage 

Other British Royalty: 

1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK

2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown

3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK

4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013

5) The British Empire:  A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)

6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark

 British Coinage:

1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)

2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin

3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence

4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone

 Commemorative British Coinage:

 1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era

 2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK

3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)

4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel 

5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his" Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK 

Postage Stamps:

1) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal Guidepost to Liberty and Freedom

 2) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie

3) Celebrating the Centenary of Agatha Christie's first Crime Novel and 40th Anniversary of her passing away by issue of a set of 6 stamps by Royal Mail, UK 

4) Queen Elizabeth II's 90th Birthday: A Souvenir Sheet issued by the Royal Mail, UK featuring four generations of Windsors on 21.04.16 

Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands:

1) Brexit : Britain's exit from the EEC : Coins issued by the Cook islands in the denomination of $1, $5 and $ 20 in 2016 

2) 150th Anniversary of "The Great Tea Race - 1866": Commemorative Coins in the denomination of 10 and 2 Dollars issued by Cook Islands in 2016

3) The Mystical Ancient Egyptian Labyrinth depicted on $10 Silver coins issued by Cook islands in 2016, under its "Milestones of Mankind Series".


Links:

1) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2010 (the start of the Programme)

2) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2011

3) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2012

4) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2013

5) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2014

6) State Commemorative Quarters

7) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2015

8) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2016

9) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2017 

10) The Great Seal of the USA & prominent mottoes

11) Native American Dollar Coin Programme

12) American Eagle Gold Coins

13) American Buffalo Gold Coins

14) Susan Anthony Dollar

15) US Bicentennial Coins

16) Westward Journey Nickel Series

17) Commemorating 225 Years of US Marshals Serivce

18) Forever Stamps : US Civil War 1861-65

19) The New US $100 Bill

20) The Strange Case of my becoming a US Citizen without even applying for it , thanks to the US Mint