Marine Corps Silver Dollar Released
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U.S. Mint | July 21, 2005
QUANTICO, VIRGINIA – History was made today at United States Marine
Corps Base Quantico. The United States honored a branch of the
military for the first time with a commemorative coin, the Marine
Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar. The image on the front of the
coin features a rendition of Associated Press photographer Joe
Rosenthal's historic photograph depicting the raising of an American
Flag by the United States Marines at Iwo Jima.
Near today's ceremony, the 210-foot tilted mast of the new National
Museum of the Marine Corps soared into the sky, also evoking the image
of the flag-raising. Surcharges from the sale of each commemorative
coin are authorized to benefit the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation,
helping to construct the museum.
"Marines fight our wars and guard our embassies. When any part of the
world erupts in chaos, we ‘send in the Marines.' We ask them and
expect them to do the hardest thing of all, to give their lives for
us," said United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore. "Today,
the United States Mint launches this commemorative coin in honor of
the United States Marine Corps's leadership in war and peace."
Thousands watched at a festive ceremony, as Director Fore and General
Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, presented two
shiny new silver dollars to Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ron Christmas, President
of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Director Fore struck one of
the two silver dollars herself at a ceremony in May at the United
States Mint at Philadelphia. The Quantico Marine Band performed on the
lawn of Lejeune Hall, and visitors were treated to a firsthand look at
the latest Marine Corps technology.
Following the ceremony, United States Marine Corps Base Quantico
became the first place in the Nation where the public had the
opportunity to purchase in person both proof and uncirculated Marine
Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollars. The silver dollars also were
available online, by telephone and by mail, from the United States
Mint, starting at noon.
Designed by United States Mint sculptor-engraver Norman E. Nemeth, the
obverse of the Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar mirrors
Rosenthal's photograph taken on February 23, 1945, which is believed
to be the most reproduced image in the history of photography.
The reverse, by United States Mint sculptor-engraver Charles L.
Vickers, features an engraving of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, the
official emblem of the United States Marine Corps. This emblem has
remained virtually unchanged since 1868, when United States Secretary
of the Navy, Gideon Welles, approved the design as recommended by
Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilin.
Two hundred thirty years ago, following skirmishes at Lexington and
Concord, Massachusetts, delegates to the Second Continental Congress
assembled in Philadelphia and, on November 10, 1775, ordered the
raising of two Marine battalions to serve as a landing force for the
growing colonial fleet. It was the first link in an unbroken chain of
distinguished, heroic service that runs the full length of United
States history. Philadelphia is the birthplace of both the United
States Marine Corps and the United States Mint.
Authorized by Public Law 108-291, dated August 6, 2004, to commemorate
the 230th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, both proof
and uncirculated versions of the silver dollar will be minted at the
United States Mint at Philadelphia and carry the "P" mint mark.
The Secretary of the Treasury has authorized a maximum mintage of
600,000 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollars, as a proof
silver dollar and as an uncirculated silver dollar coin.
The coin also is part of two special sets, which are available for
purchase today as well. The 2005 United States Mint American Legacy
Collection™, reminiscent of the Prestige Set previously offered by the
United States Mint, will offer the Marine Corps 230th Anniversary
Proof Silver Dollar and the Chief Justice John Marshall Proof Silver
Dollar, released earlier this year, along with proof versions of all
2005-dated circulating coins. Also offered is a Marine Corps Coin &
Stamp Set containing a Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Uncirculated
Silver Dollar and an original un-canceled (known as mint condition)
1945 three-cent Iwo Jima stamp.
During the initial issue period of July 20 until August 22nd , the
proof silver dollar will be available from the United States Mint
online, by telephone and by mail for $35 and the uncirculated silver
dollar for $33. After August 22nd, the proof silver dollar will be
available for $39 and the uncirculated silver dollar for $35. The
Marine Corps Coin & Stamp Set will sell for $40.00 and have a limit of
five sets per order and household. Shipment of the Marine Corps Coin &
Stamp begins August 1st. The American Legacy Collection will sell for
$135.00 and have a limit of ten sets per order and household. Shipment
of this product begins August 29th.
Customers can purchase the Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver
Dollar by using the United States Mint's secure website,
www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and
speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling
1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order
will be added to all domestic orders.
Congress authorizes the annual production of two commemorative coins
honoring American people, places, events and institutions. The United
States Mint released the first commemorative coin of 2005, the Chief
Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar, for sale on April 25, 2005.