The United States Mint today at noon Eastern Time launched the first of two commemorative coins scheduled for release this year. The 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar pays tribute to Americans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.
2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollars – Proof and Uncirculated Versions
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Minted in both proof and uncirculated conditions for collectors and struck from 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper, the coin obverse or heads side features an image of three disabled veterans.
"All Americans should honor the millions of living disabled veterans who carry the scars of war every day, and who have made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principles of our democracy," stated the original legislation for the coins.
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act, which became Public Law 110-277 when President Bush signed it on July 17, 2008, authorizes a combined mintage of 350,000 coins across both versions.
The US Mint is responsible for striking and selling the coins, and has made each option available at introductory prices for a period of nearly five weeks.
| American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar | Intro Price |
Reg Price |
|
| Proof Silver Dollar | $39.95 | $43.95 | |
| Uncirculated Silver Dollar | $33.95 | $35.95 | |
The open period is from February 25, 2010, through to March 29, 2010, until 5:00 PM ET when regular pricing is enforced. While these prices are $2 more than what the Mint charged for the 2009 commemorative dollars, they are less expensive overall when considering the differences in silver prices between then and now.
[When the Mint announced the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar availability date on January 30, 2009, London silver was at $12.51 an ounce. Today’s silver price is $15.92 an ounce. The intrinsic value of a silver commemorative then was $9.68. Today it is $12.31.]
The prices also include a $10 surcharge that will be forwarded to the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation, which in turn will use the money towards construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C. This new memorial was authorized by Congress in 2000.
Silver Dollar Design and Coin Specifications
The obverse of the coin bears an image of the legs and boots of three disabled veterans. A pair of crutches is visible along with the inscriptions ‘THEY STOOD UP FOR US,’ ‘IN GOD WE TRUST,’ ‘2010’ and ‘LIBERTY.’ It was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
"The images on the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar capture the service of the brave men and women who have honored us with their selfless duty to defend our country," the US Mint states on its Web site. "These veterans often carry permanent life-altering disabilities that serve as strong reminders of the price of freedom."
The reverse design depicts a forget-me-not flower at the base of a wreath of oak branches wrapped in a ribbon. Symbolizing strength, the wreath encircles the inscription ‘Take This Moment to Honor Our Disabled Defenders of Freedom.’ Around the outside of the wreath are the words ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,’ E PLURIBUS UNUM’ and ‘ONE DOLLAR.’ It was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
Both proof and uncirculated disabled vet coins have a diameter of 1.500 inches, or 38.100 mm, and are minted with a nominal weight of 27.730 grams. They are struck from the Mint’s West Point facility in New York and include the "W" mint mark.
Order Information
The two silver dollars may be purchased directly from the Mint’s Web site at:
U.S. Mint Commemorative Coin Product Page
Orders can also be placed by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468). There is a limit of 100 coins each per household during the first 30 days of release. They may only be sold in 2010.
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar is one of two 2010 silver commemorative coins schedule this year, with the other being a coin celebrating the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). (See BSA Silver Dollar Coin Designs.)
