The 2005 John Marshall Commemorative Silver Dollar was the first of two commemorative silver strikes to be released by the US Mint that year. This strike honored the fourth Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court by celebrating the 250th anniversary of his birth and was issued by the Mint on April 25, 2005.

Among the reasons offered for the silver dollars by the Chief Justice John Marshall Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 108-290) which authorized the strikes was:

"John Marshall’s service to the United States—not only as a Chief Justice, but also as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, as a Member of Congress, and as Secretary of State truly makes him one of the most important figures in our Nations history."

"Under his leadership, the Supreme Court of the United States gave shape to the fundamental principles of the Constitution, most notably the principle of judicial review"

The silver dollars were struck to both proof and uncirculated condition with an initial maximum mintage of 400,000. The final mintage only ended up at 263,849.

The obverse of each 2005 John Marshall Commemorative Silver Dollar contains a left-facing portrait of the former Chief Justice as designed by United States Mint sculptor/engraver John Mercanti. It was based on the original work of French painter Charles-Balthazar-Julien Fevret de Saint-Memin. Also shown are the inscriptions of JOHN MARSHALL, CHIEF JUSTICE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, 1801-1836, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2005.

On the reverse of the coin an image of the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the US Capitol Building is depicted. It was designed by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver and also includes the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE DOLLAR.

Surcharges collected on the sale of these strikes were forwarded to the Supreme Court Historical Society.