Introductory sale prices for commemorative 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar products end on Monday, March 19, 2012, at 5 PM EDT.
Prices will increase from $49.95 to $54.95 for the proof silver dollar and from $44.95 to $49.95 for the uncirculated silver dollar.
The 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Defenders of Freedom Set, containing a proof strike and memorabilia, is presently $51.95. Its price is expected to remain the same. However, time appears very limited for the set as a sellout may be on the horizon. 50,000 of them were made, and as of March 12, purchases had already reached 40,420.
The combined maximum mintage of all of the Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar products is 350,000 with the ratio of proof to uncirculated to be determined from buyer activity. The most recent U.S. Mint sales figures showed collectors have ordered 149,062. Broken out, that includes the 40,420 proofs purchased through the Defenders of Freedom Set, 75,454 orders for the individual proof coin and another 33,188 of the uncirculated coin. (View the Silver Coin Price Guide for always updated sales stats.)
Anyone interested in getting a 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar while they are on sale can place an order online with the U.S. Mint at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). There are no household ordering limits on any of the three commemorative products. A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 will be added to all domestic orders.
The commemorative coins were released on February 16 in an event at the Fort Benning’s Parade Field following a graduation ceremony for Army Infantry Soldiers. They celebrate the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus, Georgia.
$10 for each coin sold is forwarded to the National Infantry Foundation to help maintain the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. The museum tells the story of the U.S. Army Infantry. It is located at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. More information about the museum may be found at http://www.nationalinfantryfoundation.org.
A modern Infantry soldier is portrayed on the obverse of the silver coins, charging forward with a rifle in one hand and beckoning the troops to follow, symbolizing the "Follow Me" motto of the Infantry. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2012. The scene was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso.
The image on the reverse, designed by Ronald D. Sanders and sculpted by Norman E. Nemeth, features the crossed rifles insignia, the branch insignia of the Infantry. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM are inscribed.
This year the U.S. Mint has also released 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins. These are available in silver and proof as well as a two-coin set. The coins celebrate the bicentennial writing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
