Today, March 5, 2012, the United States Mint released the uncirculated and proof Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins — two $5 gold coins and two $1 silver coins — along with a Star-Spangled Banner Two-Coin Proof Set.

The coins celebrate the 200th anniversary of the writing of the American national anthem by Francis Scott Key who penned the lyrics after the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Each of the commemorative designs depicts an aspect of the Star-Spangled Banner and the War.

"The designs on these coins, whose sales will commence today, will help connect us to our national values, as they were embodied in the American flag that flew proudly atop Fort McHenry that morning, and which inspired the words of our national anthem," said Daniel Shaver, Chief Counsel of the United States Mint, during the ceremonial release of the coins.

The $1 silver coins were introduced with a starting price that matched last month’s release of the Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Commemorative Coins, which is $44.95 for the uncirculated and $49.95 for the proof. The $5 gold coins have sale prices of $519.30 for the uncirculated and $529.30 for the proof. The proof set contains a $5 gold coin and $1 silver coin for $579.30

Prices will increase $5 for each of the products after 5 PM ET on April 5, 2012. Also, it is possible for prices on the $5 gold coins and proof set to increase weekly should gold change significantly lower or higher.

Additional information and purchase options for the commemorative coins and proof set are available from the US Mint online store at http://catalog.usmint.gov/.

Maximum mintages of 500,000 for the silver coins and 100,000 for the $5 gold coins are allotted by law. No production limit has been stated for the proof set, although the U.S. Mint has indicated it will only accept a maximum of 50 unit orders per customer.