The 2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins are issued by the United States Mint as one of two commemorative coin programs released during the year. This particular program features three different strikes including a $5 gold coin, a silver dollar and a half-dollar clad coin.
A release date of March 21, 2013 has been scheduled by the US Mint for the 5-Star General Coins. The strikes will be available in both proof and uncirculated conditions with mintages of up to 100,000 gold coins, 500,000 silver dollars and 750,000 half dollar coins.
All three 2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins feature obverse and reverse designs created "in recognition of five United States Army 5-Star Generals, George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold, and Omar Bradley, alumni of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to coincide with the celebration of the 132nd Anniversary of the founding of the United States Army Command and General Staff College," according to the legislation which authorized them. The Command and General Staff College (CGSC) was created in 1881 to train infantry and cavalry officers and has become one of the premier institutions for military training in the world.
In order to acknowledge the important contributions of the CGSC and five of its most prominent alumni, Representative Dennis Moore of Kansas introduced the 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act in the House of Representatives.
“These men served their country in unforgettable ways,” stated Rep. Dennis Moore of Kansas who introduced the Act. “We can never fully show our gratitude for their service, but we can honor them by continuing to support the Command and General Staff College’s tradition of training the world’s finest military officers.”
The Act passed Congress and was signed into law by President Obama on October 8, 2010 as Public Law 111-262.
Surcharges are to be collected on the sale of each 2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins in the amount of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver dollar and $5 per half-dollar coin. These surcharges will be paid to the CGSC Foundation to help finance its activities in support of the college.
5-Star Generals $5 Gold Coin - The 2013 5-Star Generals $5 Gold Coin is struck from 90% gold with a diameter of 0.850 inches. Maximum mintage of the release is 100,000 across all product options including both proof and uncirculated versions of the coin.
Shown on the obverse of each is a portrait of General Douglas MacArthur with the 5-star insignia on the right side of the design. The reverse includes a depiction of the Leavenworth Lamp, long seen as a symbol of the CGSC.
5-Star Generals Silver Dollar – Each 2013 5-Star Generals Silver Dollar is composed of 90% silver and has a diameter of 1.50 inches. According to the authorizing legislation for the coins, maximum mintage of the release is 500,000 including coins in both proof and uncirculated conditions.
The obverse of each silver dollar contains the portraits of Generals George C. Marshall and Dwight D. Eisenhower against a striped background with the 5-star insignia shown above their heads. The reverse of the coin shows the same image of the Leavenworth Lamp as seen on the associated gold coin.
5-Star Generals Half Dollar Coin – The 2013 5-Star Generals Half Dollar Coin features a composition of copper and nickel with a diameter of 1.205 inches. Maximum mintage of the strike is 750,000 including both proof and uncirculated varieties.
Portraits of Generals Henry “Hap” Arnold and Omar N. Bradley grace the obverse of the coin. Shown on the reverse is the heraldic crest of Fort Leavenworth.
