Description

The 2001 Capitol Visitor Center Half Dollar represented the first commemorative half dollar issued in five years. The last commemorative coins of this denomination had been issued as part of the large program from 1995-1996 for the Olympics. The present coin was issued along with a $5 gold and $1 silver for the proposed Capitol Visitor Center.

The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) is a large underground addition to the United States Capitol complex which serves as a gathering point for up to 4,000 tourists and an expansion space for the US Congress. It is located below the East Front of the Capitol and its plaza, between the Capitol building and 1st Street East. The complex contains 580,000 square feet (54,000 m2) of space below ground on three floors.

The CVC officially opened on December 2, 2008. This date was selected to coincide with the 145th anniversary of placing Thomas Crawford's Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol building in 1863, signifying the completion of construction of its dome.