Medal of Honor recipients honored by United States Mint
2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program
The “Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009,” (Public Law 111-91) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on November 6, 2009. It authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 100,000 gold $5 and up to 500,000 silver $1 coins in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861.
The act calls for the designs to be emblematic of the traditions, legacy and heritage of the Medal of Honor and the distinguished service of its recipients.
As authorized, the United States Mint shall produce $5 gold and $1 silver coins in both proof and uncirculated qualities. Surcharges in the amount of $35 for each gold coin and $10 for each silver coin are authorized to be paid to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
The foundation assists in perpetuating the legacy of the Medal of Honor by funding programs to promote the ideals of courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism among the American public.
The Designs
$5 Gold Coin
* Gold obverse (heads side): depicts the original Medal of Honor authorized by Congress in 1861 as the Navy’s highest personal decoration. The inscriptions are LIBERTY, 1861, 2011, IN GOD WE TRUST and MEDAL OF HONOR.
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| 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative $5 Gold Proof Coin Reverse |
* Gold reverse (tails): features Minerva, based on the common central image on both the original Navy and Army Medals of Honor. Minerva, standing with a shield representing the Army and Navy in her right hand and the Union flag in her left hand, is flanked by a field artillery cannon and wheel of the Civil War era. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $5 and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The gold coin designs are emblematic of the heritage and legacy of the original Medal of Honor and the era in which it was first established.
$1 Silver Coin
* Silver obverse (heads side): depicts the three current Army, Navy, and Air Force Medals of Honor, left to right. The ribbon with field of stars in the center is the common feature of all three medals, reflecting the joint nature of modern era warfare and the fact that the Medal of Honor is the only U.S. military medal worn around the neck. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1861 – 2011 and MEDAL OF HONOR.
* Silver reverse (tails): depicts a contemporary infantry soldier carrying a wounded soldier to safety under enemy fire, reflecting the courage and self-sacrifice of all Medal of Honor recipients. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM. This image conveys the courage, selfless sacrifice and patriotism of Medal of Honor recipients, as well as the criteria established by Congress in 1963 requiring that all Medals of Honor be awarded only for heroic action in combat.
Coin Specifications:
GOLD:
Denomination: Five Dollar Coin
Composition: 90% Gold, 10% alloy
Diameter: 0.850 inches (± 0.003) or 21.59. mm (± 0.08)
Weight: 8.359 grams nominal
Edge: Reeded
Mintage Limit: 100,000 (across all options)
SILVER:
Denomination: Dollar Coin
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 1.500 inches (± 0.003) or 38.10 mm (± 0.08)
Weight: 26.730 grams nominal
Edge: Reeded
Mintage Limit: 500,000 (across all options)
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