Wisconsin Supercomputer Dollar 

The United States Mint uploads the Wisconsin American Innovation dollar to the public on April 7. The coin depicts the Cray-1, a pioneering piece of technology built in 1976 that was the first commercially successful supercomputer.

A supercomputer is a high-performance type of computer designed for processing large, complex calculations at incredible speeds; the semi-circular (C-shaped) design of the Cray-1 helped increase the speed at which its calculations for weather forecasting, nuclear research, and other high-level data analysis took place. The motif as seen on the coin, showing a stylized aerial view of Cray-1, was designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Paul Romano and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw.

The latest entry in the American Innovation $1 Coin Program offers roll and bag quantities of business strikes from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Rolls include 25 coins sold at $61 per unit, while 100-coin bags are issued at $154.50. The Wisconsin American Innovation Dollar isn’t the only coin in this multiyear series sure to excite tech fans. The California American Innovation Dollar that follows in the coming months will pay homage to Steve Jobs, the iconic computer visionary who hailed from California.