US Mint 2011 Silver Commemorative Coins

The United States Mint has two different silver commemorative coins scheduled for release in 2011. Namely, the 2011 United States Army Silver Dollar and the 2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar.

Both are a part of larger commemorative coin series that also include $5 gold coins and a clad half dollar for the Army commemorative, but many collectors will focus on the silver dollars given their precious metal content and price points.

According to the US Mint, the coins will be struck to both proof and uncirculated qualities and feature the following specifications (standard for US Mint commemorative coins):

• Weight: 26.73 Grams
• Diameter: 1.50 Inches (38.10 mm)
• Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
• Maximum Mintage: 500,000

Surcharges of $10 will be added to the sale of each of these coins, with the raised funds forwarded to the specific organization dictated in their authorizing legislation.

Additional information on both commemorative coins for this year follows:

2011 United States Army Silver Dollar

The US Mint will issue the 2011 Army Silver Dollar on January 31, 2011.

This strike is part of the larger 2011 United States Army Commemorative Coin Program which also includes a $5 gold coin and a half dollar clad coin. Prices follow:

 

The introductory sales period ends on March 2, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. ET, when regular pricing takes effect.

All three coins honor the United States Army which was the first branch created of the US Military . It was established by the Continental Congress in 1775 in preparation for the impending American Revolutionary War.

The coins were authorized by the United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 (Public Law No: 110-450) signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 1, 2008. Under the Act, the coins are to be “emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today.”

Final designs for the commemorative coins were released by the US Mint on December 11 during the Army/Navy football game played in Philadelphia, PA.

Depicted on the obverse of the silver dollar is a modern-day male and female soldier standing back to back representing the United States Army in the 21st century. Inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2011. It was designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso.

For the silver dollar reverse, the Great Seal of the United States (which has been worn on the US Army dress and service uniforms since the early 1800’s) is surrounded by inscriptions showing the seven core values of the US Army – LOYALTY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY and PERSONAL COURAGE. Also included are the additional inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, U.S. ARMY, ONE DOLLAR. The reverse was designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Don Everhart.

For design specifics on the $5 and 50c clad coin, check out the US Mint press release.

Surcharges from the sale of each coin — $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver $1 coin and $5 for each half-dollar clad coin — will be collected by the US Mint and sent to the Army Historical Foundation to support the construction of the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar

A release date of February 25, 2011, has been scheduled by the US Mint for the 2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar.

It will be issued as part of the 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program which also includes a $5 gold coin. Prices follow:

 

The US Mint has not published how long the introductory prices will last.

The Medal of Honor commemorate coins are struck to celebrate 150 years since the first Medal of Honor was authorized by Congress in 1861. Since that time fewer than 3,500 of the medals have been awarded as it is the highest award for valor a member of the US Military can receive based on their gallant actions while engaged in a conflict against an enemy of the United States.

Congress authorized the commemorative coins through the passage of the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-91) which was signed into law on November 6, 2009, by President Barack Obama. It states that the coins must be produced to mark the anniversary of the creation of the medal and to honor those who have received it. The Act adds that the brave recipients were and are “ordinary Americans, (who) through courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the course of history.”

Designs for the Medal of Honor Silver Dollar were released by the US Mint on September 29. The obverse shows the three current Army, Navy and Air Force Medals of Honor, left to right. Surrounding the image are the inscriptions of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, MEDAL OF HONOR and 1861–2011. The obverse was designed by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

On the reverse, a modern-day infantry soldier is shown carrying a wounded soldier to safety while under enemy fire. The design is meant to signify the bravery shown by those who have been recipients of the medal and was designed by AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. Also shown are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

For design specifics on the $5, check out the US Mint press release.

The $10 surcharge collected on the sale of each of these coins will be forwarded to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance the foundation’s educational, scholarship and outreach programs.

About the United States Mint

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and gold, silver and platinum bullion coins.