The United States Mint on Thursday, February 16, 2012, released the 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollars and the Defenders of Freedom Set.
The commemorative coins recognize the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and celebrate the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
For a limited period, the individual collector silver dollars are available at the introductory prices of $49.95 for the proof and $44.95 for the uncirculated. The United States Mint implemented the following pricing schedule for each:
| Commemorative Coins | Introductory Price |
Regular Price* |
| Silver Dollar Proof | $49.95 | $54.95 |
| Silver Dollar Uncirculated | $44.95 | $49.95 |
*The regular prices will go into effect after 5:00 p.m. ET on March 19, 2012.
Only one denomination is being minted, the dollar, with a limit of up to 350,000 strikes across the uncirculated and proof options, according to the "National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act of 2008," or Public Law 110-357.
Defenders of Freedom Set
For a few dollars more, the U.S. Mint is also offering a limited edition Defenders of Freedom Set which includes a proof silver dollar within a special folder along with a quote by President John F. Kennedy, the U.S. Army motto, and a small replica dog tag and chain.
The Defenders of Freedom Set is priced at $51.95 with a maximum of 50,000 produced. There is a limit of 100 sets per household during the first week. Afterwards, if any are still available, the U.S. Mint will re-evaluate sales to determine whether the household limit needs to be extended or removed.
Specifications and Designs for Infantry Soldier Silver Dollars
The $1 commemorative coins are composed of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. Each is 1.50 inches in diameter, has a weight of 26.730 grams and a mint mark of "W" to denote their production at the United States Mint facility in West Point, NY.
The designs, revealed back in October, were required by law to be emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the United States Infantry. Following a rigid process of selection by the US Treasury Secretary, and preceded by consultation with the National Infantry Foundation and the Commission of Fine Arts, plus a review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, the designs below were chosen.
The obverse or heads side of the silver dollar shows a modern Infantry Soldier as he is charging forward with his head turned as he beckons his troops to follow, thus symbolizing the "Follow Me" motto of the Infantry, the U.S. Mint describes. It was designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and engraved by Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.
The branch insignia of the Infantry, the two crossed rifles, is featured on the reverse of the silver dollar. This insignia has been used since the early days of the Infantry. Its design for the coin was made by AIP Associate Designer Ronald D. Sanders and engraved by Sculptor-Engraver Norman E. Nemeth.
For 236 years, the U.S. Army Infantry has fought for freedom for the nation and its allies. The first 10 companies were formed on June 14, 1775 by the Second Continental Congress, and almost 100 years later, there were around 25 regiments. Since then, the numbering system and organization have changed. Today the number of soldiers in the Infantry is approximately 49,000.
How to Order Infantry Soldier Silver Dollars
Buyers can order the silver dollars and the Defenders of Freedom Set through the United States Mint website at http://catalog.usmint.gov or by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Surcharges of $10 per silver dollar will be collected by the United States Mint with proceeds forwarded to the National Infantry Foundation to help finance an endowment that will provide support and help maintain the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
The museum tells the story of the U.S. Army Infantry and preserves its legacy. It is located at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. More information is found at http://www.nationalinfantryfoundation.org.
The Infantry Silver Dollars are the first of two commemorative series to be released by the United States Mint this year. The next issues belong to the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Program. These commemorative coins will be available in proof and uncirculated conditions, and the denominations will include a 50c clad, silver dollar and $5 gold coin. Their release date is scheduled for March 5, 2012 but is subject to change.
OK everyone, I rounded up 500 of my brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, outlaws, co-workers, neighbors, illegals, and even some dead voters and each of us ordered the max 100 sets each. The product is sold out at the MINT and I’m now taking secondary market orders for the “Defenders of Freedom” set at $199.95 each. But shipping is free…!!
BORING!
Didn’t the Army just have a coin last year? It looks like the Korea coin with the soldier reversed and the gun updated. The CCAF and and the CFA have lost any credibility and continue to recommend junk.
After years of collecting modern commemeratives – I am going to save my money this year.
George – so you think somebody is going to pay $150 extra for a tin replica dog tag that’s not even worth $2, huh? I’m sure the mint is glad you bought all the sets. I’m betting if you hadn’t they’d hardly sell more than 1,000 – 2,000 otherwise. (LOL) Cincunnatus – by all means, save your money. The fewer people that buy this coin the rarer it’ll be and the more valuable. Last year they sold only 45,517 unc Army coins and 44,769 unc Medal of Honor coins. Last unc coin to be in that range was the 2005… Read more »
Alright, alright. I sense a little sarcasm here. Just for you guys, I’ll make this special offer: $129.95 each or (4) sets for $500.00. But just for this weekend. My phones are lighting up and I can barely keep up with demand…! These won’t last long at these prices..!!
(think they’d hire me at TheCoinVault?)
@george glazener – You are so in at TheCoinVault. I do my impression of the Coin Vault blowhards all the time to me wife. Of course she hates it. I just pull a random coin out of my pocket change and see how long I can talk about it’s features and how great it is.
Ya gotta wonder who buys stuff from the Coin Vault, although I guess if you weren’t around to start collecting proof sets in 1964 this might be the easiest way to get the set without a lot of bother. But that’s not real coin collecting then is it? At lest we know who to go to if we want to get a Defenders of Freedom set. But if we wait another couple years George may lower his price again or at least offer flex pay(?) so we can spread out our payments. And being real collectors we’d want to buy… Read more »
I served as an Infantryman during part of my military service. I purchased 1 Defenders of Freedom Set for myself because I appreciate the recognition, and enjoy the US commemorative series. Let’s not lose focus here, and remember what it means to be a collector. Instead of bickering over the value or rarity, and wether or not we can make a buck off the deal. Some people do appreciate the MEANING of the mintings still.
Ian;
All kidding aside, I salute you and thank you for your service. I truly love the military themed commemorative coins such as these for whom they honor and for what they went through for America. Glad to see the US MINT continues to honor this proud tradition and I hope it continues…
As a Marine, very inactive, I want at least one of every commemmorative coin in the military theme, just so I can say, “I have them all.”