WWI Centennial
2018 Commemorative Coin
Design Competition


United States Mint Call for Artists — Phase One Now Closed

Earlier this year, the United States Mint announced a public competition to design the 2018 World War I American Veterans Centennial Silver Dollar. During Phase One of the competition, which was open from February 29–April 28, 2016, artists were encouraged to submit their contact information and three to five work samples for consideration.

With Phase One now closed, a panel of judges will select up to 20 applicants to participate in Phase Two, where the artists will create and submit designs and plasters for the final coin.

Thank you for your interest in what will certainly be an exciting Commemorative Coin program. Please continue to visit this site — including rules, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Important Dates — for updates on the competition.

Preserve History
Honor the Legacy

Important Dates

Applications Open: February 29, 2016

Application Deadline: April 28, 2016

Artists Notified if Selected to Submit a Design: May 31, 2016

Submissions Must Be Received By: August 16, 2016

Winner Announced: 2017

Read Official Rules

Sacrifices of
All Americans

Message from the Principal Deputy Director

Dear Potential Contestant,

The World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Design Competition is an exciting opportunity for American artists to design a coin that will preserve an important time in American history and convey a sense of pride. World War I required the entire nation to get behind their armed forces. This truly is an opportunity to capture the sentiment and patriotism of the time. The coin will help future generations understand and appreciate the impact of what was called “the war to end all wars.”

Deputy Director Jeppson signature
Rhett Jeppson

Principal Deputy Director

United States Mint

Footprints of
Our National Heroes

World War I Timeline

Here are some key events from America’s involvement in World War I. For more detailed information, see
America in the War.

  • Two biplanes flying over a field

    1917

    April 6 — The United States declares war on Germany. Though the United States initially remained neutral, the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, killing 1,198 passengers including 128 Americans and the interception of the Zimmerman telegram led President Wilson to ask Congress for a declaration of war.

  • Troops standing beneath an American flag

    1917

    June — First American Troops arrive in France. Through voluntary registration as well as the newly formed draft, by the end of the summer, the American forces grew to around 500,000 soldiers.

  • U.S. Army Engineers in France

    1917

    August — The U.S. Food Administration, led by Herbert Hoover, begins a plan of voluntary food conservation. Ideas such as “Meatless Monday” and “Wheatless Wednesday” were promoted. This reduced domestic consumption of food by 15% without the need for required rationing.

  • American troops in Europe

    1918

    May 28 — The Americans win the Battle of Cantigny. This was the first successful American offensive of the war and it demonstrated the strength of the American forces.

  • American troops working on equipment.

    1918

    June — Americans persevere in the Battle of Belleau Wood, one of the bloodiest battles fought by American troops. The battle lasted nearly all of June and was a grinding back–and–forth siege between the Americans and the Germans. The U.S. Marine Corps played a major role in this victory.

  • A tank rolls over rough terrain.

    1918

    August — The Hundred Days Offensive begins. This was a series of Allied victories that ultimately drove the Germans out of France and led to the end of the war.

  • American troops entering Perth, Scotland, 1918

    1918

    November 11 — The Allied Powers reach an Armistice with Germany. The Armistice went into effect at 11:00 am Paris time, which is why the date is often referred to as “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”

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