September 11 National Medal & Fallen Heroes Medals

The tragic deaths at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in rural Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, forever changed our nation. Civilians, officers, emergency workers, members of the military, and employees of federal, state and local government agencies took heroic and noble action on that day.

Congress authorized the 2011 September 11 National Medal with Public Law 111–221, the "National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act of 2010."

The medal's obverse (heads side) design features Lady Liberty holding the Lamp of Remembrance. Behind her are beacons of light stretching skyward. Lady Liberty, the lamp and the light symbolize not only the immeasurable loss on that fateful day, but also the resilience and triumph of those who persevered. Inscriptions are ALWAYS REMEMBER and 2001 – 2011. The medal's obverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.

The medal's reverse (tails) design depicts an eagle – symbolizing the strength of the survivors, the families and the Nation – against a backdrop of cascading water. The flowing water is emblematic of peace, serenity, healing and the continuity of life. Inscriptions are HONOR and HOPE. The medal's reverse was designed by Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Joseph Menna.

Video b-roll shows the creation of the 2011 September 11 National Medal.

In addition to the national medal, the Mint produced three bronze medals. In recognition of the support of the country for those who lost their lives to terrorism, Public Law 112-76 authorized the production of three Congressional Gold Medals—one for each of the three sites—and corresponding bronze duplicate medals. Each medal bears a unique design.