The United States Mint has released a $1 coin honouring Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple, as California's entry in the American Innovation $1 Coin Program. The coin is going on sale to the public on May 12.

The American Innovation $1 Coin Program, launched in 2018, issues coins for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five US territories to celebrate significant inventions and pioneers. California Governor Gavin Newsom selected Jobs to represent the state.

"The innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Steve Jobs embodied the best of California, creating the future we all know today," Newsom said. "His tenacity and fearless pursuit of the California Dream made so many American dreams possible."

The coin depicts a young Jobs seated before rolling, oak-dotted hills, a landscape characteristic of Northern California. The design includes his name and the phrase "Make Something Wonderful," drawn from a 2007 internal Apple meeting where Jobs spoke about creating and contributing to humanity. Mint Director Paul Hollis said the coin honours Jobs's "remarkable" work and recognises his importance to both California and the United States.

Collectors in the US can buy the coins in two formats. A roll of 25 coins, minted in either Philadelphia or Denver, costs $61.00. A bag of 100 coins is priced at $154.50, working out to about $1.55 per coin. Households are limited to 10 rolls and 10 bags each. A total of 25,950 coins have been produced.