U.S. Marshals 225th Anniversary Half-Dollar Clad Commemorative Coin
- Year of Issue: 2015
- Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 112-104
Background
The U.S. Mint released the U.S. Marshals 225th Anniversary Half Dollar Clad Coin in 2015 as part of the U.S. Marshals 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program. It commemorates the U.S. Marshals Service, the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. The program includes a $5 gold coin, $1 silver coin, and half dollar clad coin with unique obverse and reverse designs.
Recipient Organization: U.S. Marshals Museum, Inc.; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation; National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
The first $5 million in surcharges received from the sale of coins issued under is to be paid to the U.S. Marshals Museum, Inc., for the preservation, maintenance, and display of artifacts and documents. The remainder of the surcharge funds shall be divided between the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.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
The clad obverse design features a present-day U.S. Marshal with an Old West U.S. Marshal in the background.
The clad reverse depicts blindfolded Lady Justice holding balanced scales in her left hand as she extends a simplified U.S. Marshals badge. The U.S. Constitution is shown to illustrate that the USMS gets its authority from this document. Other elements symbolize some of the other well-known tasks of the Marshals Service in changing times: an 18th century whiskey jug symbolizes the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion, old wooden railroad tracks represent the Pullman Strike of 1894, a stack of schoolbooks strapped together with an apple resting on top symbolizes the 1960 New Orleans school integration. A pair of open handcuffs represents the task of the U.S. Marshals to apprehend federal fugitives.
Obverse Inscriptions
- LIBERTY
- 1739-2014
- 2015
- IN GOD WE TRUST
Reverse Inscriptions
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
- HALF DOLLAR
Mint and Mint Mark
Specifications
Composition: 8.33% nickel, balance copper
Diameter: 1.205 inches (± 0.002), 30.61 mm (± 0.05)
Weight: 11.34 grams
Mintage Limit: 750,000 across all clad product options
Artist Information
Obverse- Sculptor: Michael Gaudioso and Jim Licaretz
- Designer: Joel Iskowitz
- Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill, Medallic Artist
- Designer: Susan Gamble