The U.S. Mint is gearing up to release a silver dollar coin with a merchant mariner prominently featured on the coin’s face as a tribute to their significant contributions to our country’s triumph in World War II. The new coin design is set to debut early this year as part of the “Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program.”
This series of three coins, which includes new illustrations to be pressed onto the silver dollar, the half dollar, and the five-dollar coin, was unveiled by the United States Mint and the Friends of the National World War II Memorial last fall at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
According to the Mint, “The coins will serve as monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the brave Americans who fought to defend the nation and advance peace and freedom throughout the world. They also serve as a dedication to the National WWII Memorial in D.C, which was built to honor the 16 million who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II, as well as the 400,000 who died and those who supported the war effort at home.”
“The Greatest Generation commemorative coin designs are emblematic of the National World War II Memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II,” said United States Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. “We hope this program will honor their unwavering courage and selfless spirit.”
Pictured on the front of the new memorial silver dollar, designed by Beth Zaiken and Phebe Hemphill, six people representing different branches of the military and the U.S. Merchant Marine work together to support the world. They stand above text that reads “Liberty” and “In God We Trust,” and the year, which is present on all U.S.-minted coins. The words “World War II Memorial” and “Defenders of Freedom” are inscribed around the perimeter of the coin.
The commemorative coin’s reverse was designed by Ben Sowards and Renata Gordon, and depicts a view from underneath the baldacchino at the World War II memorial. The baldacchino, or sculptural canopy, shown in the center of the silver dollar coin is modeled after the Victory Pavilion in the World War II Memorial. Four eagles each holding a laurel wreath encircle the outer portion of the coin, interspersed with text that reads Victory, At Sea, On Land, and In the Air. The top of the coin also includes the standard attribution to the coin’s country of origin and E Pluribis Unum, and the bottom has WWII Memorial written atop the value amount of the coin.
Pricing for the three-coin set includes surcharges and is as follows: $35 for each $5 gold coin sold; $10 for each silver dollar sold; and $5 for each half dollar sold. In accordance with Public Law 117-162, also referred to as the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act, these coins are mandated to be minted by the Secretary of the Treasury and are authorized to support maintenance and repairs of the World War Memorial, as well as for commemorative and educational usage.
Visit www.usmint.gov for more information.
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