The 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins mark the second of two commemorative coin series to be issued by the United States Mint in 2011. For these strikes, the Mint will produce both $5 gold coins as well as silver dollars in both proof and uncirculated condition.
2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins (Proof)
This series was authorized by Congress under the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-91). The legislation was signed into law by President Barack Obama on November 6, 2009.
According to the text of the legislation, its purpose was:
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861, America’s highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States, to honor the American military men and women who have been recipients of the Medal of Honor, and to promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents and how ordinary Americans, through courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the course of history.
Owing to the stringent requirements for the medal, very few have ever received it in the 150 years since it was established. In fact, less than 3,500 individuals have been so awarded.
The United States Mint indicates a release date of February 25, 2011 for the 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin series.
Surcharges of $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver dollar will be collected by the Mint on the sale of each strike with the proceeds forwarded to the Secretary to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance the educational, scholarship and outreach programs of the Foundation.
More information on the 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins is offered below:
Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coin – The 2011 Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coin is struck from 90% gold to a diameter of 0.85 inches. The Mint indicates a maximum mintage of 100,000 of these strikes.
2011 Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coins (Proof and Uncirculated)
For the obverse of the coin, an image of the original 1861 Navy Medal of Honor is shown surrounded by the inscriptions of LIBERTY, 1861, 2011, IN GOD WE TRUST and MEDAL OF HONOR. It was designed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna
The reverse of the coin was designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso and depicts the mythical figure of Minerva with a shield in one hand and the Union flag in another. Surrounding Minerva are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $5 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Medal of Honor Silver Dollar – The 2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar will be struck from 90% silver and 10% copper to a diameter of 1.5 inches. A maximum mintage of 500,000 is placed on these coins.
2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar (Proof and Uncirculated)
Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz designed the obverse of this coin to show the three current Army, Navy and Air Force medals, shown left to right. Also included are the inscriptions of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, MEDAL OF HONOR and1861–2011.
The reverse of the silver dollar shows a modern day soldier carrying a wounded colleague to safety while under enemy fire. It was designed by AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill and also includes the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
