Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins

Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins

The 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins include $5 gold coins and silver dollars both struck to proof and uncirculated conditions. The strikes were authorized by Congress with the passage of the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 111-232).

According to that act, the coins are to be struck "in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, and for other purposes." The act further stipulates that no more than 100,000 of the $5 gold coins be struck and no more than 500,000 of the silver dollars.

The Star-Spangled Banner was originally written as a poem by Francis Scott Key. He penned the words after witnessing a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Baltimore Harbor by British Naval Forces during the War of 1812. Following the bombardment, Key still could see the Star-Spangled Banner flying high above the fort signaling it had not fallen.

The poem was later put to music and became popular at patriotic events. Finally, in 1931, it became the official national anthem of the United States of America.

"From the perilous naval engagement in the harbor with the Stars and Stripes waving above Fort McHenry, to the opening line of our national anthem dramatically depicted in Francis Scott Key's handwriting, these gold and silver coins capture iconic symbols of the Battle of Baltimore, a critical conflict in the war to preserve our liberty," said United States Mint Deputy Director Richard A. Peterson. 

Surcharges of $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver dollar will be collected on the sale of each strike by the US Mint. These surcharges will be forwarded to the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.

The United States Mint will also be issuing Infantry Soldier Commemorative Silver Dollars in 2012.

2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative $5 Gold Coin

2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative $5 Gold Coin

The obverse of the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Gold $5 Coin features a design emblematic of the theme "The Battles at Sea During the War of 1812." An American sailing ship is shown in the foreground with a damaged and fleeing British ship in the background.  Inscriptions are IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and 1812 - 2012.  The obverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.

The reverse design is emblematic of the theme "The Star-Spangled Banner" (the song).  The reverse shows the first words of the national anthem, O say can you see, in Francis Scott Key's handwriting in front of 15 stars and 15 stripes, representing the Star-Spangled Banner flag.  Additional inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and FIVE DOLLARS.  The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by Joseph Menna.

2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Silver Dollar

2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin

The obverse of the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Silver Dollar features a design emblematic of the theme "The Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry."  The design shows Lady Liberty waving the 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner flag, with Fort McHenry in the background.  Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2012.  The obverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

The reverse of the silver dollar is emblematic of the theme "The Star-Spangled Banner" (the flag).   It shows a waving modern American flag.  Reverse inscriptions are ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  The reverse was designed by AIP Associate Designer William C. Burgard III and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.