A limited-edition coin set, the 2013 5-Star Generals Profiles Collection, went on sale Monday, August 5, from the United States Mint. The price is a bargain at $74.95 as coins in it that are purchased separately cost more.
With a 50,000 limit, the collection contains two coins and a bronze medal. They are:
- an uncirculated 5-Star Generals Silver Dollar,
- an uncirculated 5-Star Generals Clad Half-Dollar, and
- a bronze replica of the 1962 General MacArthur Congressional Gold Medal.
Both the uncirculated silver dollar and clad half-dollar are from the 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Program. The two are available individually at prices of $55.95 and $20.95, totaling $1.95 more than the 5-Star Generals Profiles Collection. Making this unique coin set more attractive is the bronze replica of the 1962 General MacArthur Congressional Gold Medal, and this set appears to be the only way to acquire it.
As for packaging, the U.S. Mint displays these pieces on a custom easel-type folder, complete with profile cards and photos for each general, details of military history, and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Coin and Medal Designs
On the obverse of the bronze medal is a depiction of General MacArthur. Surrounding it are the inscriptions DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, LIBERATOR OF THE PHILIPPINES, CONQUEROR OF JAPAN, DEFENDER OF KOREA and PROTECTOR OF AUSTRALIA.
Reverses offer an image of the Great Seal of the United States between two torches and inscriptions that read IN RECOGNITION OF THE GALLANT SERVICE RENDERED BY GENERAL OF THE ARMY DOUGLAS MACARTHUR TO HIS COUNTRY and then DUTY, HONOR and COUNTRY. General MacArthur’s quote, "The inescapable price of liberty is an ability to preserve it from destruction," is also found on the reverse.
Obverses of the silver dollars feature Generals George C. Marshall and Dwight D. Eisenhower with reverses depicting the Leavenworth Lamp. On the obverse of the clad half-dollar are Generals Henry "Hap" Arnold and Omar N. Bradley, and the reverse has the heraldic crest of Fort Leavenworth.
The 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Program was enacted to celebrate the 132nd anniversary of the founding of the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as well as honor the lives and legacies of the five military Generals. A surcharge of $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar and $5 for each clad half-dollar sold will be collected and put towards the Command and General Staff College Foundation to help finance its support of the College.
Ordering
No household limits exist, and orders are accepted at the United States Mint, through its website product page, located here, and by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Shipping of the 2013 5-Star Generals Profiles Collection is expected to begin in early September, 2013.
