5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins on Sale at Intro Prices

5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins went on sale today, March 21, 2013. Released by the United States Mint in uncirculated and proof qualities for collectors, options available include $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, half-dollar clad coins and a three-coin proof set.

Each product is available at introductory prices until 5 PM ET on April 19, 2013.

Authorized by Public Law 111-262 enacted on October 8, 2010, the commemorative program recognizes United States Army 5-Star Generals George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry "Harp" Arnold and Omar Bradley. These men were either alumni or instructors at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Public Law 111-262 also notes the commemoration of the 132nd anniversary of the founding of the CGSC.

Obverses or the heads side of the commemorative coins feature portraits of the generals. Reverses or the tails side have designs emblematic of the CGSC. (Check out the Silver Coins Today article about the designs.)

Summary Coin Designs and Inscription Details

The following paragraphs offer summary design details for the commemorative coins.

$1 Silver Coins

Obverse designs for the proof and uncirculated $1 silver coins feature portraits of George C. Marshall and Dwight D. Eisenhower against a striped background. The 5-star insignia above is above. Inscriptions say GEORGE C. MARSHALL, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, IN GOD WE TRUST, 2013 and LIBERTY. The obverse was designed by Richard Masters and engraved by Joseph Menna.

The reverse design has the Leavenworth Lamp with the heraldic crest of Fort Leavenworth on its side. Inscriptions read U.S. ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM and FORT LEAVENWORTH. The reverse was designed by Barbara Fox and also engraved by Joseph Menna.

Eisenhower was notably featured on collectible Eisenhower silver dollars from 1971 through 1976, as well as clad dollars from 1971 through 1978. The 100th anniversary of his birth was also celebrated with the 1990 Eisenhower Centennial Silver Dollar.

$5 Gold Commemorative Coins

Obverse designs for the $5 commemorative coins feature a portrait of General Douglas MacArthur. The 5-star insignia is shown to the right. Inscriptions say IN GOD WE TRUST, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, 2013 and LIBERTY. Designing the obverse was Ronald D. Sanders. Michael Gaudiso engraved it.

Reverse designs features the Leavenworth Lamp, which is the symbol of the CGSC. Inscriptions read UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE DOLLARS and FORT LEAVENWORTH. Barbara Fox designed it, and Joseph Menna sculpted it.

50c Clad Commemorative Coins

Obverse designs for the clad 50-cent commemorative coins feature portraits of Generals Henry "Hap" Arnold and Omar N. Bradley. The 5-star insignia is above. Inscriptions read LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, HENRY "HAP" ARNOLD, OMAR N. BRADLEY and 2013.

Reverse designs feature the heraldic crest of Fort Leavenworth. Inscriptions say UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and HALF DOLLAR.

Phebe Hemphill designed and sculpted the half-dollar obverse and reverse.

Commemorative Coin Pricing – Intro Prices and Regular Prices

Available 5-Star Generals Commemorative product options and pricing are as follows:

	INTRODUCTORY PRICE	REGULAR PRICE
Proof $5 Gold Coins	$485.50*	*
Uncirculated $5 Gold Coins	$480.50*	*
Proof Silver Coins	$54.95	$59.95
Uncirculated Silver Coins	$50.95	$55.95
Proof Clad Half-Dollars	$17.95	$21.95
Uncirculated Clad Half-Dollars	$16.95	$20.95
Three-Coin Proof Sets**	$546.50*	*

 

*Because the product includes a gold coin, pricing can change up to weekly based on the U.S. Mint’s pricing tables. **The Three-Coin Proof Set includes proofs of the $5 gold coin, $1 silver coin and clad half-dollar.

All above products include surcharges in the amounts of $35 for every gold coin, $10 for every $1 silver coin and $5 for each clad half-dollar. Collected amounts are paid to the CGSC Foundation to help finance its activities in support of the college.

Ordering Information and Mintage Limits

5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins are available directly from the United States Mint’s online store at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. There are no per household ordering limits.

Mintage limits are set by the type of coin and are across all options with collector demand determining the ratio of proof to uncirculated coins. Maximum mintages include 100,000 for the $5 gold coins; 500,000 for the $1 silver coins; and 750,000 for the half dollars with a clad composition. The Three-Coin Proof Set has been limited to 10,000.