National Archives Building by Night Challenge Coin

• National Archives Store Exclusive
• Made in the U.S.A.
• 1 3/4 inches diameter
• Photo is protected by a shiny epoxy layer
• Raised text on front and back

• Product Description

• Whether you would like to commemorate your trip to the National Archives or you are looking for a gift for somebody who loves our Nation's history, our exclusive challenge coin is a great choice. It shows the National Archives Building in downtown Washington, D.C. from historic Pennsylvania Avenue by night. The obverse features the National Archives eagle logo.

In 1930, New York Architect John Russell Pope was selected to design the National Archives Building. Pope's neoclassical design included both practical and symbolic aspects of housing the nation's records. He proposed a monumental structure with highly decorative architectural features, giant Corinthian columns, 40-foot bronze doors, and inscriptions representing the building's historical importance.

Construction began in 1931 with a groundbreaking ceremony on Pennsylvania Avenue. On February 20, 1933, President Herbert Hoover laid the cornerstone of the building, dedicating it to the people of the United States.

In December 2023, the National Archives Building was designated as a National Historic Landmark.