2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar Available

The United States Mint today at noon ET made available the 2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar and the 2011 Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coin. The coins are the second and final round of commemorative offerings for the year.

The commemoratives celebrate the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861. As such, the designs on the coins are emblematic of the traditions, legacy and heritage of the Medal of Honor and the distinguished service of its recipients. Fewer than 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded since 1861.

The US Mint has published an informative brochure about the medals. The brochure’s text reads in part:

"The Medal of Honor was first authorized by Congress in 1861 as the Navy’s highest personal decoration, with the Army Medal of Honor authorized in 1862 and the Air Force Medal of Honor in 1956. The medals are presented by the President in the name of Congress."

Authorized by Public Law 111-91 which passed in Congress as the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009, the commemorative coins are issued in numismatic proof and uncirculated qualities, making four options available in total.

The Medal of Honor Silver Dollar is produced at two different US Mint facilities, the proof in Philadelphia and the uncirculated in San Francisco. The San Francisco Mint is also responsible for making the uncirculated $5 gold coin. West Point strikes the $5 gold proof version. To signify which coin was made where, the US Mint places a mint mark of ‘W’, ‘P’, or ‘S’ on each.

Introductory pricing provides an incentive to buy early, as the following Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin pricing table highlights:

 

Regular pricing will be enforced after 5:00 p.m. ET on March 28, 2011.

The commemorative proof and uncirculated silver dollar and $5 gold piece may be purchased directly from the United States Mint website or via its toll free phone line at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). There are no per household order limits in place. The Mint indicates that it will begin shipping orders by April 25, 2011.

Surcharges of $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver dollar will be collected by the United States Mint with proceeds forwarded to the Secretary to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance the educational, scholarship and outreach programs of the Foundation.

Silver Dollar Designs and Specifications

The obverse of the commemorative silver dollars feature images of the three medals from the Army, Navy and Air Force. The ribbon with a field of stars in the center is common to all three medals and symbolizes the joint nature of modern era warfare. The image was sculpted by Jim Licaretz. Inscriptions surrounding the medals include LIBERTY, 1861–2011, IN GOD WE TRUST and MEDAL OF HONOR.

The reverse of each silver dollar portrays a contemporary Army infantry soldier carrying a wounded soldier to safety under enemy fire. The image symbolizes the courage and self-sacrifice of all recipients. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The image was designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.

The silver dollar is struck in 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. It is 1.5 inches in diameter and has a weight of 26.73 grams.

$5 Gold Coin Designs and Specifications

The obverse of the $5 gold commemorative coin features an image of the original medal authorized by Congress in 1861. It was sculpted by Joseph Menna. Inscriptions include LIBERTY, 1861–2011, IN GOD WE TRUST and MEDAL OF HONOR.

The reverse features Minerva, based on the common central image on both the original Army, Navy and Air Force medals. Minerva, standing with a shield representing the Army and Navy in her right hand and the Union flag in her left hand, is flanked by a field artillery cannon and wheel of the Civil War era. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $5 and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The image was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso.

The $5 gold coin is minted from 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy. It is 0.85 inches in diameter and has a weight of 8.359 grams.

For information on past silver dollar issues from the US Mint, check out this site’s Silver Commemorative Coins page.