1987 1 Oz Tri State Refining South Dakota Centennial Round BU

In 1987, two years before the centennial celebration, the South Dakota legislature authorized Tri State Refining to produce centennial celebration rounds. The rounds were produced from 1987 to 1989 in 1/2 Oz, 1 Oz, 5 Oz, and 10 Oz sizes. Two different obverses were produced, one with a single buffalo facing left and one with a pair of buffalo facing right.

Obverse: The obverse depicts two buffalo standing in a prairie facing to the right. The name "SOUTH DAKOTA" is engraved at the top and the date of "1987" can be found on the lower right. The weight and composition of "1 OZ .999 FINE SILVER" is inscribed on a banner at the bottom of the round. 

Reverse: The reverse features the Great Seal of the state of South Dakota. The central image depicts a smelting furnace and other features of mining work towards the upper left. Hills rise in the background behind the furnace.  In the left background, a range of hills. A farmer at his plow can be seen at the lower right with a herd of cattle and a field of corn in the background. A steamboat proceeds up a river that separates the smelting furnace from the farmland. A banner at the top of the image bears the motto of South Dakota that states "UNDER GOD THE PEOPLE RULE". An outer circle with text circumscribes the central image. The upper inscription states "STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA" while the lower one reads "GREAT SEAL". The date "1889" is located at the bottom.