AMERICAN INNOVATION
Dr. Bernard Lown: The Direct Current Defibrillator (Maine) "P"

This dollar is the third in 2024 and 23rd overall in the American Innovation Dollars Program.

The United States Mint American Innovation $1 Coin Program is a multi-year series honoring innovation and innovators with $1 coins from each State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands. The American Innovation $1 Coins have uncirculated finishes and are minted at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.

The American Innovation $1 Coin representing Maine represents the Direct Current Defibrillator. Dr. Bernard Lown was a Lithuanian-American cardiologist who put his heart into saving lives. He immigrated to the United States in 1935 to escape Nazi persecution for his Jewish heritage, eventually settling in his new hometown of Lewiston, Maine. Lown would go on to study medicine and invent the Direct Current Defibrillator, a lifesaving device that uses direct electrical current in time with the heartbeat’s cycle to correct abnormal rhythms thought to be responsible for 40% of fatal heart attacks in the United States. Along with engineer Baruch Berkovitz, Dr. Lown began experimenting with their new device in 1961, testing it on 11 patients, some in critical condition, all of whom were returned to normal heartbeats thanks to Lown’s defibrillator. By 1964, thousands of hospitals were using Dr. Lown’s invention to save countless lives. The Direct Current Defibrillator led to the invention of other crucial cardiac devices, including pacemakers and defibrillator implants, which are used by millions of Americans today.

The reverse (tails) design presents a profile portrait of Dr. Bernard Lown with his direct current defibrillator in operation below. The design includes the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “BERNARD LOWN, M.D.,” “DIRECT CURRENT DEFIBRILLATOR,” and “MAINE.”

The obverse (heads) of American Innovation $1 Coins features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “$1.” The obverse also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation.

The year of minting or issuance, the mint mark, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are incused on the edge of the coin.

AMERICAN INNOVATION - DR. BERNARD LOWN: THE DIRECT CURRENT DEFIBRILLATOR (MAINE) "P" (BU) - 2024 UNITED STATES COINS 23 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 09- UNITED STATES COINS / 6- 1 DOLLAR and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.