The United States Mint launches its 2025 lineup today with pre-orders for the U.S. Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program.
Authorized by Congress under Public Law 118-10, these coins commemorate the founding of the Marines on Nov. 10, 1775. The establishment of two battalions of Continental Marines by the Second Continental Congress laid the foundation for what has become a cornerstone of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The program includes $5 gold coins, silver dollars, and half-dollar clad coins, each offered in proof and uncirculated finishes. A three-coin proof set completes the collection. Mintages for the seven related products are limited, with shipping scheduled to begin on Feb. 11.
Introductory pricing applies to individual coin options through Feb. 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. (ET). Pre-orders open today at noon directly through the U.S. Mint.
Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Designs
Designs for the six coins in the Marine Corps Commemorative Coin Program were officially announced on July 17, 2024, during a ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Each design embodies elements symbolizing the courage, dedication, tradition, and values of the Marines.
“These coins are a testament to the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of all Marines, ensuring that their stories will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come,” stated Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation."
Shared Reverse Design
All coins – gold, silver, and clad – share a common reverse (tails side) design depicting the Marine Corps’ official emblem: the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. The design, created by Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Craig A. Campbell, also features the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "THE FEW, THE PROUD," and the legal tender face value of each coin.
Unique Obverse Designs
Each coin features a distinct obverse (heads side) design reflecting different aspects of the Marine Corps’ heritage:
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$5 Gold Coin: The obverse showcases a Marine Corps color guard, symbolizing tradition and honor. Inscriptions include "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "1775," and "2025." The design was created by Donna Weaver and sculpted by John P. McGraw.
2025-W U.S. Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Gold Coins – Proof and Uncirculated -
$1 Silver Coin: This obverse depicts the iconic flag raising at Iwo Jima during World War II, a moment forever etched in Marine Corps history. Designed by Ron Sanders and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, the coin bears the inscriptions "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "1775," "MARINES," and "2025."
2025-P U.S. Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Silver Dollars – Proof and Uncirculated -
Half-Dollar Clad Coin: The obverse features a modern Marine in the foreground and a Continental Marine in the background, bridging the Corps’ past and present. Inscriptions include "250 YEARS OF HONOR, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT," "1775 – 2025," "USMC," "LIBERTY," and "IN GOD WE TRUST." Emily Damstra designed the obverse, with sculpting by Eric David Custer.
2025 U.S. Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Half Dollars – Proof and Uncirculated
These coins collectively honor the 250-year legacy of the Marine Corps, celebrating its enduring values and service.
Specifications of Marine Corps Commemorative Coins
The U.S. Mint facilities in West Point, Philadelphia, and San Francisco are each responsible for manufacturing the Marine Corps Commemorative Coins, as detailed below. However, no Marine Corps commemoratives are currently being produced at the Denver Mint, according to the latest Mint information. This is despite the initial uncirculated half-dollar image suggesting production there, consistent with previous uncirculated half-dollar commemoratives. CoinNews has contacted the Mint and is awaiting confirmation regarding the absence of commemorative production at the Denver Mint.
Update (Jan. 2, 12:38 p.m.): The U.S. Mint has confirmed that no Marine Corps commemoratives are being produced at the Denver facility. Mint spokesman Michael White said, “Changes were made prior to production starting, moving the uncirculated clad coin to San Francisco.”
| $5 Gold | Silver Dollar | 50c | |
| Finish | Proof and Uncirculated | Proof and Uncirculated | Proof and Uncirculated |
| Mintage Maximums | 50,000 | 400,000 | 750,000 |
| Composition | 90% Gold, 6% Silver, Balance Copper |
99.9% Silver | 8.33% Nickel, Balance Copper |
| Weight | 8.359 Grams | 26.73 Grams | 11.34 Grams |
| Diameter | 0.850 Inches | 1.500 Inches | 1.205 Inches |
| Edge | Reeded | Reeded | Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark | West Point – W | Philadelphia – P | San Francisco – S |
A maximum of 15,000 of the three coin sets will be sold with coins taken from the above listed individual coin mintages.
Pricing
The U.S. Mint has established the following price points for the Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coins:
- Three-Coin Proof Set: $1,017.00
- Proof $5 Gold Coin: $865.00
- Uncirculated $5 Gold Coin: $855.00
- Proof Silver Dollar: $91.00
- Uncirculated Silver Dollar: $89.50
- Proof Half-Dollar: $56.00
- Uncirculated Half-Dollar: $54.00
Surcharges of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver dollar, and $5 per half-dollar are included in the prices. If the program generates a profit, these surcharges will be directed to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation to support the mission of the Marine Corps Heritage Center.
Also, as a reminder, introductory pricing for the single coin options end on Feb. 3, 2025, at 3 PM (ET).
Ordering
The 2025 Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coins can be pre-ordered directly from the U.S. Mint through its online store of commemoratives.
With rare exception, I can buy pretty much any moden commemorative coin at less, many times way less, than the original mint price. I buy the silver dollar versions at my LCS for melt or a little above. You would be lucky to get melt if you sell them. Why would I ever buy them from the mint?
Larry, that’s certainly true (can buy less) of the bulk of commemoratives before 2020. After 2021 I’d say buying less is much more difficult. But perhaps we just need to wait another 5 years.
For most US Mint commerative issues, you are correct that poor performance in the secondary market is the norm, but the Marine Corps coins may be different. some time ago a US Marine commerative $1 sold the authorized 500,000, and demand got loud, so the Director of the Mint authorized an additional 100,000 minted, sold out quickly. Although I have not followed modern commerative issues since 2017, those coins still sell for more than Mint issue price. There is always an exception….
HarryB, use of the armed forces is a well the Mint goes back to time and again. At what point does it stop being about coins and medals and becomes flat out pandering? Oh, and the great thing about it is: there’s an anniversary every year!
I posted a comment on the last article about this, before this article came out. Thanks, Darrin Lee Unser, for clarifying that today’s prices (with the increases) are Introductory Prices– and that they’ll go up again on Feb 3 (presumably by an additional $5 per coin, but who knows maybe it will be even more?) Wow, a proof silver dollar for $96 and an uncirculated silver dollar for $94.50 after Feb 3? And let’s be honest for once US Mint– surcharges will never be paid because the program will never turn a profit (unless, of course you auction off some… Read more »
I ordered the three-coin proof set at noon. The site was functional today, but I didn’t figure I’d have any problems with this order. One down, seventeen to go. Next up: the proof American Silver Eagle (W) by subscription on the 9th.
REB, the way things are going you may end up with the lowest mintage coins in the history of the Mint (until next year’s….) Sorry to be so jaded. I sincerely hope you get the creme de la creme.
Major D:
You may be right. Mintages have been plunging. If the hobby survives, less could be more in the long run. If the hobby dies, oh well, I had fun while it lasted. Comme ci, comme ça.
Unfortunately, the USM leaders have decided to essentially commit suicide as to collectors
They’ve certainly killed this (mint) coin collector from buying from them. I thought the prices they wanted last year was nuts, little did I know!
Major D said, previous thread: “Somehow this escaped my attention- did anyone see an announcement on a price increase for commemoratives?” No announcement Major D. The US Mint does whatever they want, whenever they want these days, whenever it comes to pricing without consistency, guidelines, rules or regulations. This did not escape your attention. Same typical US Mint BS! Same as when I wrote on Aug 14, 2024, in a response to Tom: “Ironically, much like the ATB 5oz coin prices moving from a previous established price of $229, to $385(Nov 2023), without a published public notice in the Federal… Read more »
“Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel,
Like I’ve been tied to the whippin’ post.
Tied to the whippin’ post, tied to the whippin’ post.
Good Lord, I feel like I’m dyin’.”…..
The United States Mint
.
Seems like the floggings will continue until morale improves.
Recent prices at my local coin dealer
21 Morgan / Peace. 25
83 – 94 commems 24
Proof ASE in capsules. 40
Most Prestige sets. 30
Walkers/ BU 64 Kennedy 12
90% Statehood quarter rolls melt
$5 gold commems. melt
In other words, everything is available at or near melt. These mint prices at up to 5 times melt are crazy. $55 for 10 grams of copper and a gram of nickel is insane.
Question. I was scrolling through the 2025 product schedule and I found this item. American Eagle 2025 one ounce silver proof coin – Marine Corps. There is one for Navy too. I must have missed something new with the ASĖ’s. I assume this is a marine corps privy. I missed that article.