STATE CAPITOL 125th ANNIVERSARY MEDAL
The Michigan Capitol Committee Announces Sale of Official Silver Medals
Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Michigan Capitol
(Lansing. September 2004) An official silver proof medal celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Michigan Capitol is being offered to the public on a first come, first serve basis.
The silver dollar sized medals, struck under the authority of the Michigan Capitol Committee, contains roughly one ounce of silver and are of proof manufacture. The design is identical to an aluminum medal given to visitors to the State Capitol in the 125th Anniversary year.
The silver medals are encapsulated and are housed in a blue felt box. Mintage on the silver pieces is strictly limited to 250 medals. The Committee reserves the right to limit sales.
The obverse of the medal depicts a full frontal view of the Michigan Capitol, a building that was dedicated on January 1, 1879. One of Michigan’s most widely recognized buildings; the Michigan Capitol has been nationally recognized for its architectural and artistic importance.
The other side of the medal depicts a styled column, along with the inscription "125th Anniversary Michigan State Capitol 1879-2004." The medal was designed by Rep. Steven Bieda, a member of the Capitol Committee and a designer of a number of privately issued medals. Rep. Bieda is also known to collectors of modern commemorative coins as the designer of the reverse of the United States 1992 Olympic Half Dollar and the architect of legislation for the 2004 Thomas Edison Dollar. Bieda’s initials also appear on the 125th anniversary medal.
The Michigan Capitol Committee was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1987. The Committee was charged with overseeing the Capitol Restoration Project. It was not the goal of the Capitol Restoration Project to create a museum, but rather to restore and retain the Capitol as the modern working seat of state government. The Michigan Capitol Committee is composed of several members of both the House of Representatives and the State Senate.
Upon request, orders received from MSNS members before December 1, 2004, will also receive a brochure on the medal autographed by the artist along with an aluminum specimen of the medal.
Revenue from the sale of these silver medals, the official souvenirs of the 125th Anniversary, will be dedicated to the preservation of the State Capitol building, a historic structure listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
