Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins

Honoring 150 years since the creation of the Medal of Honor, the US Mint released the 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program. Strikes in this series include a $5 gold coin and a silver dollar, both struck to proof and uncirculated conditions and offered for sale to the public initially on February 25, 2011.

The Medal of Honor itself is the nation's highest award for valor given in the name of Congress by the President of the United States to a member of the US military for action against an enemy force. The first medals were authorized in 1861 as the Navy's highest personal decoration with the Army's appearing in 1862 and the Air Force Medal of Honor making its debut in 1956.

Congress authorized these strikes honoring the anniversary of the Medal as well those who have received it with the passage of the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009. This legislation became Public Law 111-91 when it was signed by President Barrack Obama on November 6, 2009.

The purpose of the coin act was explained in the text of the legislation: "To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861, America’s highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States, to honor the American military men and women who have been recipients of the Medal of Honor, and to promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents and how ordinary Americans, through courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the course of history."

A stipulation in the act requires the US Mint to collect surcharges on the sale of each strike in the amount of $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver dollar. These surcharges are then to be forwarded to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance the educational, scholarship and outreach programs of the Foundation.

2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative $5 Gold Coin

2011 Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coins, Click to Enlarge

Designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna, the obverse of the Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coin references the history of the award for valor by depicting the original 1861 Navy Medal. Surrounding the medal are the inscriptions of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, MEDAL OF HONOR, 1861 and 2011.

The reverse shows Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and war shown in front of a Civil War era cannon and wheel. She is depicted holding a shield in her right hand and a Union flag in her left. Also shown are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $5 and the mintmark. The reverse was designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.

2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Silver Dollar

2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollars, Click to Enlarge

The obverse of the Medal of Honor Silver Dollar shows the three current medals of honor with the Army shown on the left, the Navy in the middle and the Air Force medal shown on the right. Surrounding the medals are the inscriptions of LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, MEDAL OF HONOR, 1861 and 2011.
The obverse was designed and engraved by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

For the reverse, the image of an american soldier carrying a fellow wounded soldier to safety while under enemy fire is shown to depict the bravery of those who have received the Medal of Honor. Surrounding the scene are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE DOLLAR and the mintmark. The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.