Medal of Honor Commemorative $5 Gold Coin

Commemorative Coin Programs

Background

The U.S. Mint released the Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coin in 2011 as part of the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program. The two-coin program recognizes and celebrates the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861. The gold coin designs are emblematic of the heritage and legacy of the original Medal of Honor and the era in which it was first established.

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Recipient Organization: Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

Surcharges in the amount of $35 for each gold coin and $10 for each silver coin are authorized to be paid to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. The foundation assists in perpetuating the legacy of the Medal of Honor by funding programs to promote the ideals of courage, sacrifice, selfless service, and patriotism among the American public.

Commemorative Coin Surcharges

Commemorative coin programs are created by acts of Congress to honor a person, place, or event. Surcharges from the sales of these coins help fund a variety of organizations and projects that benefit the public. Commemorative coins are only available from the United States Mint for a limited time, as specified by public law.

Characteristics

Obverse: depicts the original Medal of Honor authorized by Congress in 1861 as the Navy's highest personal decoration.

Reverse: features Minerva, based on the common central image on both the original Navy and Army Medals of Honor. Minerva, standing with a shield representing the Army and Navy in her right hand and the Union flag in her left hand, is flanked by a field artillery cannon and wheel of the Civil War era.

Obverse Inscriptions

  • LIBERTY
  • 1861
  • 2011
  • IN GOD WE TRUST
  • MEDAL OF HONOR

Reverse Inscriptions

  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  • $5
  • E PLURIBUS UNUM

Mint and Mint Mark

Specifications

Composition: 90 percent gold, 10 percent alloy
Diameter: 0.850 inches (± 0.003) or 21.59. mm (± 0.08)
Weight: 8.359 grams nominal
Edge: Reeded
Mintage Limit: 100,000 (across all options)

Artist Information

Obverse Reverse
  • Sculptor: Michael Gaudioso, Medallic Artist
  • Designer: Joel Iskowitz

Related Information

Content last reviewed March 17, 2021

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