Designs for Commemorative Coins Honoring Nation's Oldest Military Branch Unveiled at Army/Navy Game

Gold, silver and clad coins salute founding of U.S. Army in 1775

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Designs for the 2011 United States Army Commemorative Coin Program were unveiled today during the annual Army/Navy football game played in Philadelphia, PA.  Public Law 110-450, the "United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008," authorizes the United States Mint to mint and issue $5 gold, $1 silver and half-dollar clad coins to recognize and celebrate the founding of the United States Army in 1775.  

The Act calls for the designs 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.

$5 Gold Coins – "Service in War"

The obverse (heads side) design represents the U.S. Army's war service from the Revolutionary War through today, symbolizing its continuity of strength and readiness.  The design features, from left to right, Continental, Civil War, modern, World War II and World War I soldiers.  Inscriptions are LIBERTY, 2011 and IN GOD WE TRUST.  The obverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

The reverse (tails) design is based on the official U.S. Army emblem and represents the unbroken history of loyalty and commitment to defend the Nation.  The design includes the inscription This We'll Defend, the motto of the U.S. Army.  Additional inscriptions are DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, E PLURIBUS UNUM, 1775, FIVE DOLLARS and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  The reverse was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.

$1 Silver Coins – "Modern Service"

The obverse design depicts the busts of a male and female soldier, symbolizing worldwide deployment of the 21st century U.S. Army.  Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2011.  The obverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.

The reverse design symbolizes the seven core values of the U.S. Army.  The design features an image of the Great Seal of the United States, worn on U.S. Army dress and service uniforms since the early 1800s.  Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, U.S. ARMY, ONE DOLLAR and the seven core values: LOYALTY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY and PERSONAL COURAGE.  The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

Half-Dollar Clad Coins – "Service in Peace"

The obverse design represents the significant contributions of the U.S. Army during peacetime and features a U.S. Army soldier surveying, two servicemen building a flood wall and a Redstone Army rocket used during early space exploration.  Inscriptions are U.S. ARMY, SERVICE IN PEACE, IN GOD WE TRUST, 2011 and LIBERTY.  The obverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.

The reverse design symbolizes the U.S. Army as the first military service to defend the country and its key role in the Nation's internal development.  The design features an enlisted Continental soldier armed with a musket and 13 stars representing the original Colonies.  Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FIRST IN SERVICE TO THE NATION, E PLURIBUS UNUM and HALF DOLLAR.  The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.

Digital images of the 2011 United States Army Commemorative Coins are available at: http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/?action=Photo.

The 2011 United States Army Commemorative Coins will be available in both proof and uncirculated qualities.  Maximum mintage limits across all product options are 100,000 for the $5 gold coin; 500,000 for the $1 silver coin; and 750,000 for the half-dollar clad coin.

Pricing for the coins will include a surcharge — $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin and $5 for each clad coin — which is authorized to be paid to the Army Historical Foundation to support the construction of the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  For information about the Army Historical Foundation, visit:  http://www.armyhistory.org. For information about the United States Mint, visit http://www.usmint.gov.

SOURCE United States Mint