2009 Dollar Coin to Honor Louis Braille

WASHINGTON - Congress has authorized the U.S. Mint to produce a silver dollar commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, creator of the alphabet for the blind.

The legislation, which passed the Senate on Thursday after receiving approval in the House in February, authorizes the Mint to issue up to 400,000 coins in 2009.

Braille was born in France in 1809.

The coins will feature Braille’s image and raised dots that will spell out “Brl,” the contraction for Braille.

The Alabama quarter, in the 50-state quarter series, features an image of Helen Keller with her name in English and also in Braille.

Under the legislation, a $10 surcharge will be added to each coin, with money from the sales going to support programs to help the blind.

The National Federation of the Blind said that it will match the money raised through the coin sales.

(via Chron.com)