2011 Army Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin Designs

Designs for the upcoming 2011 Army Commemorative Coins, which include the 2011 Army Silver Dollar, have been revealed by the United States Mint.

The unveiling took place at the Army/Navy football game played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this past Saturday, December 11, 2010.

Three unique coins will be issued next year as part of the US Mint’s 2011 United States Army Commemorative Coin Program. They include a $5 Gold Coin, a Silver Dollar and a Half Dollar Clad Coin.

According to the authorizing United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-450), they are struck "in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the United States Army in 1775, to honor the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, and to commemorate the traditions, history, and heritage of the United States Army and its role in American society, from the Colonial period to today."

The commemorative coins each represent a specific service related theme. The $5 gold coin portrays "Service in War," the silver dollar depicts "Modern Service" and the half dollar clad coin represents "Service in Peace."

For the obverse of the "Service in War" $5 gold coin, five different soldiers are shown in full uniform representing the military branch through the centuries from the Revolutionary War to present day. From left to right are Continental, Civil War, modern day, World War II and World War I soldiers. United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz designed the image which was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

The reverse depicts the unbroken history of loyalty and commitment offered by the Army with an image based on the military’s branch emblem. It was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

The "Modern Service" Army Silver Dollar shows the bust of a modern-day male and female soldier standing back to back. It was designed by AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.

On the reverse of the 2011 Army Silver Dollar are their seven core values, including LOYALTY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY and PERSONAL COURAGE. Those words surround the Great Seal of the United States in the center. The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

Finally, the "Service in Peace" clad half dollar coin offers three views of a soldier providing services in peace-time. This includes a soldier doing survey work, two soldiers building a flood retaining wall and a Redstone Army rocket used during early space exploration. It was designed by AIP Master Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.

The reverse depicts an enlisted Continental soldier and symbolizes the US Army as the first military service used to defend the United States in its infancy. The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.

Up to 100,000 gold coins, 500,000 silver dollars and 750,000 half dollars will be struck under the program in both proof and uncirculated qualities.

Surcharges of $35, $10 and $5, respectively, will be charged by the United States Mint on the sale of each coin. Those surcharges will be forwarded to the Army Historical Foundation to aid in the construction of the National Museum of the United States Army. It is the only branch of the military which currently does not have a national museum dedicated to it.

Also issued by the Mint in 2011 will be commemorative coins honoring the creation of the Medal of Honor and those individuals who have been recipients of it. For more information on the silver coin, see the 2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar information page.