Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin Designs

The United States Mint on Thursday, October 27, 2011, unveiled the designs for the commemorative 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Coin. The upcoming silver dollar will honor the U.S. Army Infantry and the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

In front of a crowd of soldiers and their families at Fort Benning’s historic Doughboy Stadium in Georgia, and before the football game kicked off between the Fort Benning Doughboys and the Columbus State University Cougars, the images for this silver dollar were revealed by B. B. Craig, Associate Director of Sales and Marketing for the US Mint.

The US Mint describes the obverse (heads side) design of an infantry soldier "on rocky ground charging forward and beckoning the troops to follow, symbolizing the ‘Follow Me’ motto of the Infantry." Inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2012.

On the reverse is the infantry branch insignia, two crossed rifles, and the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

A large display of the designs’ line art images were shown during the presentation, and then an official prototype of the 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar was used for the coin toss. The coin toss was conducted by Marv Levy, WWII Veteran and former Buffalo Bills head coach who led his team to four straight Super Bowl appearances.

Booths were set up and manned by officials from the United States Mint and representatives for the National Infantry Foundation at the game to distribute literature about the upcoming infantry commemorative coin and answer any questions.

The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act, or Public Law 110-357, was signed by President Bush in October of 2008 and authorized the United States Mint to strike a mintage of up to 350,000 collector silver coins in proof and uncirculated conditions. The act called for illustrations emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the United States Infantry.

Similar to previous United States Mint commemorative coins, a $10 surcharge will be included on the sale of each coin. The 2012 Infantry Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin will raise money for the National Infantry Foundation, the private organization that operates the National Infantry Museum.

According to the Mint, the coin is expected to launch in February 2012. It is one of two commemorative coins authorized by Congress. The second will be the Star Spangled Banner Silver Dollar.