9/11 Commemorative Silver Medals for 10th Anniversary

The 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks will be commemorated next year with silver medals, which be available for purchase in years 2011 and 2012.

The 9/11 commemorative silver medals will feature a design "emblematic of the courage, sacrifice, and strength of those individuals who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the bravery of those who risked their lives to save others that day, and the endurance, resilience, and hope of those who survived."

The design, as described in the National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act, will also feature the year inscriptions ‘2001-2011’, and the words ‘Always Remember’.

The one ounce silver medals will have a mintage limit of 2,000,000, feature a collectible proof finish, and be available for purchase directly from the United States Mint beginning in 2011. The mintages will be split between the U.S. Mint facilities in Philadelphia and Denver.

The Act was introduced by Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York on February 24, 2010 (the bill was numbered H.R. 4684). It passed in the House on July 20, the Senate on July 22, and was signed by the President into Public Law 111-221 on August 6, 2010.

"We will soon mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, one of the darkest moments in all of American history," Rep Nadler said following the Acts signage into law. "These medals will serve as a simple commemoration of those who perished, suffered, or are still suffering. I am proud to honor those who lost their lives and to pay tribute to the many courageous rescue workers who risked their lives when others were in dire need. The Memorial and Museum will help us bear witness to their sacrifice for generations to come."

Senator Charles Schumer had introduced similar legislation in the Senate (S.3034), and hailed the new law.

"In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, New Yorkers and Americans came together for a common purpose, to rescue, to rebuild, to honor those lost and to never forget what took place on that terrible day," said Schumer. "These commemorative medals honoring the 10th anniversary of September 11th provide us all with a special way to honor the bravery of those who perished, and the patriotism and community that their sacrifice inspired in a nation by raising money for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center."

Prices for the September 11 medal will not be known until close to their release, but interested buyers should expect a level of around $50. While the specifications are different, proof commemorative silver coins released by the U.S. Mint this year ran $39.95 during an introductory period and moved to $43.95 for standard pricing.

Like those coins, the 9/11 silver medal will include a $10 surcharge for each one sold. The collected money will go to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to support its operations and maintenance following its completion.

"I want to extend my gratitude to Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Jerrold Nadler for championing legislation to create a commemorative medal to help raise awareness and support for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum," said 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels. "This is a fitting way to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and support our national tribute to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks."

Several proposed designs for the silver medal should be available for review by late 2010. The final design will be selected by the U.S. Treasury Secretary and likely to be released by December or early 2011, with the actual medals soon following.