U.S. Mint Strikes Marine Corps Commemorative Silver Dollar
Otis Willie
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2005/20050526_1362.html
{EXCERPT} American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 26, 2005 - The U.S. Mint at Philadelphia celebrated
National Military Appreciation Month May 25 with the ceremonial strike
of a new commemorative coin, the 2005 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary
Silver Dollar.
Current and former Marines cheered as Director Henrietta Holsman Fore
and other dignitaries struck the coins in the Proof Room where the
silver dollar will be produced. The official launch of the Marine
Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar will be at Marine Corps Base
Quantico, Va., on July 20, U.S. Mint officials said.
This is the first time the United States has honored a branch of the
military with a commemorative coin, according to information provided
by the Mint. Surcharges from the sale of 2005 Marine Corps 230th
Anniversary Silver Dollars will be paid to the Marine Corps Heritage
Foundation to help construct the National Museum of the Marine Corps
in Quantico.
The obverse, or "heads" side, design of the coin features the raising
of the American flag at Iwo Jima from the famous photograph by Joe
Rosenthal during World War II. On the reverse, "tails" side, is the
Marine Corps eagle, globe and anchor emblem and motto, "Semper
Fidelis" - Latin for "always faithful."
"The coin design is simple and heroic," Fore commented at the
ceremony. "The Iwo Jima image is the storied symbol of the Marine
Corps heroism, courage, strength and versatility. It exemplifies
Semper Fidelis to an appreciative nation every day around the world."
"We are honored to be the first military service to receive a
commemorative coin issued by the United States Mint. And we are
particularly pleased that proceeds from this coin will help build the
Marine Corps National Museum in Quantico," said Marine Corps Assistant
Commandant Gen. William L. Nyland. "I can think of no better way to
honor our Marine men and women than to capture the proud history and
heritage of the Marine Corps in a museum that will forever educate
visitors from around the world about the role the Marines have played
throughout world history, and will continue to play in the future."
Congress authorizes two official commemorative coins annually, and
only the United States Mint may produce them. The Marine Corps 230th
Anniversary Silver Dollar is the second and final commemorative coin
that the United States Mint will produce in 2005. The Chief Justice
John Marshall Commemorative Silver Dollar was launched earlier this
year.
(From a U.S. Mint press release.)
Biography:
Gen. William L. Nyland, USMC [
http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/B6EC83B3A0A9DDF685256808006F19AD?opendocument
Related Sites:
Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar [
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/commemoratives/index.cfm?action=Marine
National Museum of the Marine Corps [
http://204.2.118.231/store/mchf/index.asp
NOTE: View the original version of this web page on DefenseLINK, the
official website of the U.S. Department of Defense, at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2005/20050526_1362.html
-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
Military News and Information Editor
The American War Library, Est. 1988
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