This is a 1 OZ .999 Fine Silver First Anniversary Mount St. Helens Harry Truman Commemorative Round – 1981.  Apart from silver being one of the best investments on the planet, these silver coins make great gifts and have an inspiring design and a brilliant shine. On one side of this coin is a bust of Harry R. Truman, the caretaker of the Mount St. Helens Lodge at Spirit Lake who stubbornly refused to leave his home even as the historic eruption was imminent.   Truman was 84 when the Mount St. Helens erupted and is presumed to have died along with his 16 cats and 56 others that fateful day on May 18th, 1980.  Truman’s bust is surrounded by the inscriptions “Courage,” “Spirit,” “Determination” above and his name, “Harry R. Truman” and the years he was born and died, “1896 – 1980” below.  The letters “KU” appear to the right, their meaning is unknown.

On the other side of this reeded coin is a depiction of Mount St. Helens erupting flanked by the inscriptions “One Troy Ounce” and “.999 Fine Silver,” to indicate its weight and silver content.  The top of the coin, just above the smoke plume, is adorned with the inscription “First Anniversary.” Below the mountain are inscribed “1980 – 1981,” and the words “Mount St. Helens.” These beautiful coins are a great way to inspire your friends, loved ones, and co-workers by recalling the finer qualities of a man who became a hero for sticking by his desire to ride out a violent act of nature, come what may.