Army commemorative coins now available

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Army Historical Foundation (AHF) and United States Mint officials have announced that three distinct 2011 Army Commemorative Coins are now available to the public.

The Army $5 gold coin, silver dollar and clad half-dollar were authorized by Congress in 2008 to celebrate the service’s storied history and honor the 30 million American men and women who have worn the Army uniform since 1775.

According to BG Creighton W. Abrams Jr. (USA-Ret.), AHF’s executive director, the two-and-a-half years it took to bring the Army commemoratives from concept to reality was definitely worth the wait.

“Not only are the coins absolutely beautiful. Their symbolic value is certain to resonate with our more than one million currently serving Soldiers and their families and our 11 million surviving Army veterans across the country as sincere public appreciation of their selfless service and personal sacrifices,” Abrams said.

Daniel P. Shaver, the US Mint’s General Counsel, announced that all three coins can be ordered at www.usmint.gov/catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. He noted that pricing of the coins includes 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 help finance the National Museum of the United States Army to be built at Fort Belvoir, Va.

The Museum, set to open in 2015, will be a magnificent state-of-the-art facility built to honor America’s Soldiers, preserve the history of America’s oldest military service, and educate all Americans about the Army’s role in our nation’s development.

According to Shaver, the gold, silver and clad coins are respectfully themed “Army Service in War,” “Modern Army Service” and “Army Service in Peace.”

The front of the $5 dollar gold coin features five Soldier figures whose service from colonial times through today symbolizes the Army’s continuity of strength and readiness. The coin’s reverse includes the U.S. Army emblem and inscription, “This We’ll Defend,” to represent the unbroken history of the Army’s loyalty and commitment to defend the Nation.

The front of the Army silver dollar depicts the busts of a male and female Soldier symbolizing the worldwide deployment of the 21st century Army. The back of the coin is impressed with the Great Seal of the United States surrounded by the Army’s seven core values.

The clad half-dollar represents the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve’s contributions during peacetime, to include disaster relief/humanitarian assistance and the Army’s pioneering role in early space exploration. The reverse depicts a Continental Soldier, symbolizing the Army as the first military service to defend the country. The 13 stars represent the original colonies.

“These coins signify a remarkable public tribute to every American Soldier who has served our nation in war and in peace,” noted Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh.

The United States Mint is offering each of the coins in either proof or uncirculated versions and a special introductory rate is available until March 2, 2011. For prices and ordering instructions visit www.usmint.gov/catalog or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). More information about the National Museum of the United States Army is available online at www.armyhistory.org.

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