As the March 5, 2012 release date of the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins approaches, the U.S. Mint on Monday revealed images for each of the four commemoratives and two-coin proof set, published online pages that will be used to order them and has provided details for their ceremonial launch.
The 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins celebrate the bicentennial writing of America’s national anthem by Francis Scott Key. The $5 gold coins and silver dollars bear designs emblematic of the War of 1812, with representations depicting a naval battle scene from the War of 1812, the Star-Spangled Banner anthem, Lady Liberty waiving a 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner flag and a waving modern American flag.
A ceremony to launch the commemorative coins is scheduled to begin by 11:00 AM ET on March 5 at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Visitor Center, located at 2400 East Fort Avenue in Baltimore, MD. Expected attending officials include:
- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin
- U.S. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
- U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes
- Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley
- Fort McHenry NM&HS Supt. Tina Orcutt
- United States Mint Chief Counsel Daniel Shaver
Immediately following the ceremony at about 11:30 AM, those present may purchase special replicas of coins by Kirchmayr Chocolates.
"We wanted to put some gold dust or silver dust on (the coins), but it came out so nicely that we just left mild and dark chocolate that it basically represents the gold and silver," said chocolatier Albert Kirchmayr, according to WBAL Baltimore.
At 12:00 noon ET, anyone may visit the U.S. Mint website at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468) to place an order for the actual gold and silver coins.
The commemorative coins will be produced in both proof and uncirculated collector qualities. The following table provides mintages and pricing for each:
| Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins | Mintages | Introductory Price | Regular Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof $5 Coin | 100,000 Max | TBD | TBD |
| Uncirculated $5 Coin | TBD | TBD | |
| Two-Coin Proof Set (Proof $5 Gold and Proof Silver Dollar) | TBD | TBD | |
| Proof Silver Dollar | 500,000 Max | $49.95 | $54.95 |
| Uncirculated Silver Dollar | $44.95 | $49.95 |
Prices for the uncirculated and proof $5 gold commemorative coins and two-coin proof set will be market-priced weekly based on this year’s commemorative gold coin pricing grid, with their debuting amounts revealed by Wednesday, February 29. The silver dollar introductory prices will be in effect from noon ET on March 5, 2012, through 5 PM ET on April 5, 2012, after which the regular prices will be in effect.
Surcharges of $35 for each gold coin and $10 for each silver dollar sold will be given to the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission to support the bicentennial activities, educational outreach, and preservation and improvements to the War of 1812 sites and related structures.
I think I like the Silver Designs better. Still, it’s too bad the Gold versions will only be offered in the small size.
Can you provide a link to the US Mint site where these images exist? As of 1 PM EST Feb 28, I see nothing. Thank you.
Brian, the coin images are scattered across the five commemorative coin product pages on the U.S. Mint website at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. You can find the products with images via the ‘Comming Soon’ tab via the Mint’s 2012 Product Schedule page.
Thank you Mike, I found it now!
I think it is unfortunate that these images they post are some kind of enhanced drawings rather than photographs of the actual coins, which would be much better in my opinion.
It is a real shame that these coins have to be so stylized as shown. Ft. McHenry is a very special place and one looking out into the harbor one can visualize the row of British warships and if one really tries, the night of bombardment can be made real. Now, the mint has decided to cheapen the whole thing by designing coins reflective of nothing. The history of the troops holding up the flag pole, the flag seen flying at dawn, the glare of the rockets and the semi-silouette of those huge cannons facing down the harbor to where… Read more »
Tilghman Scott:
Amen Brother….! Well said…!
Sadly, ours may be the last generation who will have any conception whatsoever of the great events of our past. I guess the US MINT should be commended in a small way for doing what they still can to honor this 198th anniversary, even if the designs themselves fall well short of what we envision they could be. The way this country is heading, in twenty years we won’t even be able to publicly celebrate our wonderful heritage for fear of offending someone or some group.
freedom = slavery
war = peace
Washington, Jefferson and the architects of the constitution were terrorists.
/sarcasm
Bill;
That’s right; Washington made the Hessians piss their pants at Trenton, Jefferson’s eloquent writings made King George III pitch a hissy fit in London, and Daniel Morgan made Banastre Tarleton cry like a little girl at Cowpens. That’s America’s definition of “terrorism”. And you can thank James Madison for giving you your freedom of speech so you can make moronic statements like the one above.
George – modern gold commemoratives have always been this size, makes it easier to sell 100,000 which even so I don’t think they ever have. I also agree, the silver design is much better than the gold design.
As for the designs, the mint designers have for years not been very good which is why we have to go back 70-80 yrs for the design of the gold eagle, silver eagle, gold buffalo, and palladium eagle if that ever shows up.
Jim (and everyone else);
Have you guys seen or purchased any silver from The Perth Mint? Some of the upcoming “Ships that changed the World” series look gorgeous, and the low mintages are exciting too!
Perth and Ottawa – different spellings for Franklin Mint the way I see it. Sure the coins are officially minted coins of their realms but I see a lot of these coins as collections of pretty coins that only a few people buy and regardless of their rarity don’t have any real value beyond their metal content. I do buy the Canadian silver proof set and they usually doll up the commemorative proof silver $ with some tasteful gold plating but personally I draw the line at adding colors to the coins, especially when they don’t bother to say what… Read more »
Interesting….I agree with you on the whole coloring thing. Usually I wouldn’t touch something like that as I’m something of a purist too. But with the USS Constitution and The Mayflower as the subject matter, I thought it might be a good gamble at just one each. I see what you mean about the coloring process, I hope it doesn’t break down over time and stain the silver in a nasty way. I recently bought the Canadian Mint War of 1812 Commemorative 1oz silver coin and was disappointed with it. The engraving seemed flat & lifeless, the detail didn’t jump… Read more »
perhaps you missed the sarcasm tag george
I ordered two of the silver proof coins, love the design.
I received mine, today. I ordered them, about an hour after they went on sale.