Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Coins and Set Released

2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Commemorative Coins are now available in both proof and uncirculated qualities from the United States Mint as well as the Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Defenders of Freedom Set. The U.S. Mint began selling the coins and set today, February 16, 2012.

As announced late last week, the collector proof silver dollar is available at a price of $49.95 while the uncirculated silver dollar will cost $44.95. These are introductory prices. Each coin will go up $5 at 5:00 PM (ET) on March 19, 2012.

The Defenders of Freedom Set is available for $51.95 and will remain at that level through its availability, providing silver prices do not move significantly lower or higher.

Congress authorized the Infantry Soldier Silver Dollars with the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 110-357).

According to the Act, the coins are struck "in commemoration of the legacy of the United States Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center."

The United States Mint will offer no more than 350,000 of the new commemorative coins as required by the authorizing legislation. Demand will dictate the mintage splits between the proof and uncirculated dollars.

The Mint has placed a production limit of 50,000 on the Defenders of Freedom Set, which includes one of the proof silver dollars, a replica dog tag on a miniature chain and special packaging holding them.

Each strike features the standard specifications for a modern commemorative coin, including a diameter of 1.5 inches and a composition 90% silver. As such, each contains 0.773 troy ounces of the precious metal.

Order Details

Both proof and uncirculated silver dollars may be purchased directly from the United States Mint website or via its toll free phone line at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). No household order limits are currently in place for the commemorative coins while a unit limit of 100 stands for the Defenders of Freedom Set during the first week.

Surcharges of $10 per silver dollar will be charged by the U.S. Mint on the sale of each Infantry Soldier coin. These surcharges will be forwarded to the National Infantry Foundation for the purpose of establishing an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

The Museum and Soldier Center is located just outside the gates of Fort Benning, in Columbus, Georgia. It opened for operation in June of 2009 "to honor Soldiers, both past and present." Aside from an IMAX® Theater, the museum boasts over 70,000 artifacts from the 200-plus years of American military history.

Coin Designs

Emblematic of both the modern and historic importance of the U.S. Infantry, the obverse of each commemorative silver dollar depicts a modern infantry soldier charging forward on rocky ground while beckoning for his fellow troops to follow. Symbolizing the Infantry motto of "Follow Me," the design was completed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso. Obverse inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2012.

The reverse shows the insignia of the Infantry, two crossed rifles. It was designed by AIP Associate Designer Ronald D. Sanders and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Norman E. Nemeth. Reverse inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

These Infantry Soldier Silver Dollars mark the first of two commemorative coin series to be issued by the U.S. Mint in 2012. Scheduled to appear later in the year will be the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins struck to be emblematic of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner poem during the War of 1812. The poem, of course, would eventually become the national anthem of the United States.