Medal of Honor Commemorative $1 Silver Coin

Commemorative Coin Programs

Background

The U.S. Mint released the Medal of Honor $1 Silver 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 designs of the coins are emblematic of the traditions, legacy, and heritage of the Medal of Honor and the distinguished service of its recipients.

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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 three current Army, Navy, and Air Force Medals of Honor, left to right. The ribbon with field of stars in the center is the common feature of all three medals, reflecting the joint nature of modern era warfare and the fact that the Medal of Honor is the only U.S. military medal worn around the neck.

Reverse: depicts a contemporary infantry soldier carrying a wounded soldier to safety under enemy fire, reflecting the courage and self-sacrifice of all Medal of Honor recipients. This image conveys the courage, selfless sacrifice and patriotism of Medal of Honor recipients, as well as the criteria established by Congress in 1963 requiring that all Medals of Honor be awarded only for heroic action in combat.

Obverse Inscriptions

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

Reverse Inscriptions

  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  • ONE DOLLAR
  • E PLURIBUS UNUM

Mint and Mint Mark

Specifications

Composition: 90 percent silver, 10 percent copper
Diameter: 1.500 inches (± 0.003) or 38.10 mm (± 0.08)
Weight: 26.730 grams nominal
Edge: Reeded
Mintage Limit: 500,000 (across all options)

Artist Information

Obverse
  • Jim Licaretz, Sculptor-Engraver
Reverse

Related Information

Content last reviewed March 17, 2021

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