US Commemorative Dollar Proof 2003-P First Flight

On December 17th, the Wright brothers conducted the first controlled sustained flight of an aircraft heavier than air. Obviously hot-air balloons had existed for years before this but this method of flying was not good for travel. Although the Wright brothers are credited with inventing the first successful airplane, they were largely self taught engineers who owned a bicycle store. What separated their fixed wing aircraft from others was the invention of a three axis control system which is actually still the standard for airplanes today. The aircraft, the Wright Flyer, flew ten feet over the ground at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina for twelve seconds.

The obverse of the 2003 Proof First Flight Centennial Commemorative silver dollar features a depiction of Orville and Wilbur Wright. They are both wearing suits and facing towards the left of the coin. Flanking each side of them are the dates “1903 2003”. The obverse design was inspired by George T Morgan’s Wright Brothers Congressional Medal from 1909. The obverse was designed by T James Ferrell. The reverse of the coin shows the 1903 Wright Flyer gliding over a bland landscape far below the aircraft. The viewer can make out Orville laying on the plane. The mint mark, P, can be seen at three o’clock on the coin. The reverse was designed by Norman E Nemeth.

The 2003 Proof First Flight Centennial Commemorative silver dollar has a mintage of 190,240 coins. The coin commemorates the hundredth year anniversary of the world’s first flight. If you have any questions regarding this or any commemorative coin, please call our knowledgeable staff at (800) 735-1311.

• Denomination: $1
• Year: 2003
• Diameter: 26.5 mm
• Mint Mark: P
• Thickness: 2 mm
• Grade: Ungraded