April 7, 2025
Motorcities to Host Unveiling Event for the Michigan Innovation Dollar Coin on Tuesday, April 8 at the Detroit Historical Museum
DETROIT – A public unveiling ceremony for the 2025 American Innovation Michigan Dollar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8 at the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave in Midtown Detroit. Doors open at 10 a.m., with a brief ceremony at 10:30 and a coin exchange to follow.
According to State of Michigan’s official liaison to the U.S. Mint Steve Bieda, the public event is being hosted by MotorCities National Heritage Area, the Michigan History Foundation and the Michigan State Numismatic Society.
The American Innovation Michigan Dollar design features a 1930s-era assembly line where a team of auto workers lowers an automobile body into place. The design was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Ronald D. Sanders and sculpted by U.S. Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw. The common design on the other side of the coin, introduced in 2018, illustrates the Statue of Liberty.
“The creation of the moving assembly line revolutionized auto production, making cars affordable to the masses – literally putting ‘the world on wheels.’ It also played a key role in creating the American middle class, as people flocked to Michigan from both around the country and the world for jobs working on the assembly lines,” said Shawn Pomaville-Size, Executive Director of the Detroit-based MotorCities National Heritage Area. “From the moving assembly line to the Arsenal of Democracy and the UAW, recognizing Michigan’s automotive and labor legacy is the mission of the MotorCities National Heritage Area.”
The U.S. Mint is working with the hosts to provide coins for the event, which occurs on the same date the circulation quality coins are to be offered on the Mint’s website in 100-coin bags and 25-coin rolls from the Denver and Philadelphia Mints.
“Due to anticipated demand, we are probably limiting the coin exchange to one coin per person, cash only,” Bieda said.
None of the American Innovation Dollars struck with a circulation quality finish will be released to the Federal Reserve for general circulation. Struck for numismatic sales only, they are priced at a premium above face value.
The Mint works with the designated official liaison for the office of the Governor, or other Chief Executive for each state, territory, or District of Columbia, along with subject matter experts, to determine design concepts emblematic of innovation. Bieda, former chairman of MotorCities National Heritage Area and current board member of the Michigan History Foundation, was appointed to that role by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April 2022.
While the coins are not being issued for circulation current and past issues are available on the Mint’s website www.usmint.gov as well as the Mint’s annual catalog.
About MotorCities National Heritage Area
MotorCities, established in 1998, is a nonprofit corporation that is part of the National Heritage Area System of the National Park Service that serves 16 counties representing a population of over 6.5 million. Its mission is to preserve, interpret and promote the region’s rich automotive and labor heritage. Regional programs inspire residents and visitors with an appreciation for how the automobile changed Michigan, the nation, and the world.
Headquartered in Detroit, MotorCities is the state’s only National Heritage Area and generates $489.7 million each year in economic impact, supporting 5,343 jobs and producing $40 million in tax revenue in Michigan. Over its 26-year history, MotorCities has awarded more than 300 grants for a total investment in local programs of more than $1.6 million.
Find MotorCities on the web at www.motorcities.org; also visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/motorcities and follow them on Twitter/Instagram: @MotorCities.
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