Crispus Attucks 1770

COMMEMORATIVE SILVER DOLLAR

The first patriot to die for America's freedom was an African American man. Crispus Attucks, a run-away slave, was killed by the British in the Boston Massacre of 1770.
 

On October 20, 1996, by Public Law 104-329, Congress approved the minting of the Crispus Attucks Commemorative Silver Dollar. The coin was authorized to honor black Revolutionary War patriots and the 275th anniversary of the birth of the first black Revolutionary War patriot, Crispus Attucks.  Congress also approved a memorial. The Black Patriots Memorial will be built on the National Mall just north of the reflecting pool, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. This coin was the first in a series and was available for purchase from the U.S. Mint from February 13, 1998, through December 31, 1998.

Attucks was not the only African American patriot. It is estimated that more than 5,000 fought in the Revolutionary War. The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was made up entirely of 250 African Americans. British General Cornwallis was completely fooled by double agent James Armistead,  a African American.  James Armistead stood beside General Lafayette when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown.

The Crispus Attucks Commemorative Silver Dollar

Reference: The United State Department of the Treasury.

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