2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Coin Designs

Silver coins will be struck next year to honor the service of disabled veterans who made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principles of American democracy.

A glimpse at these commemorative silver dollars was provided over the weekend in a ceremony at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 2009 National Convention in Denver.

The 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life silver coin designs were unveiled Saturday by US Mint Director Ed Moy.

The obverse (heads side) design depicts the legs and boots of three disabled veterans. The inscription in the banner along the coin’s upper rim, THEY STOOD UP FOR US, pays tribute to the courageous disabled veterans who fought to preserve our freedom. Additional inscriptions on the obverse are IN GOD WE TRUST, 2010 and LIBERTY.

The reverse (tails) design depicts a forget-me-not flower at the base of a wreath wrapped in a ribbon that cradles and supports clusters of oak branches. The oak branches represent strength, while the forget-me-not is a widely accepted symbol of remembrance for those who sacrificed their blood and their health for our country’s cause. The inscriptions are Take This Moment to Honor Our Disabled Defenders of Freedom, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE DOLLAR.

According to the law authorizing the legal tender coins, each will:

(1) weigh 26.73 grams;

(2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches;

(3) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper; and

(4) be struck at the US Mint facility in West Point, featuring the ‘W’ mint mark

The United States Mint will strike a maximum of 350,000 in collector proof and uncirculated condition.

Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner approved the silver coin designs on July 30, 2009. They were authorized by Congress under the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 110-277). The act was signed into law by former President Bush on July 17, 2008.

Surcharges collected from sales of the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar coins are authorized to be paid to the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation. The surcharges will help the Foundation support the construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was authorized by Congress in 2000.

Line art images of the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life silver coin designs

About the United States Mint

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and gold, silver and platinum bullion coins.