By Sharon McPike
January 28, 2015
The U.S. Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coins will be on sale Jan. 29 at the United States Mint’s website and via Customer Service at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Organizations who are authorized to benefit from sales of the collectible coins are the U.S. Marshals Museum, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Authorized by Public Law 112-104, the United States Mint may mint and issue up to 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins.
The $5 gold coin memorializes fallen U.S. Marshals Service operational personnel. The obverse of the $5 gold coin features a current badge and the words “225 YEARS OF SACRIFICE.” The reverse depicts an eagle with a shield on its chest inscribed with “U.S. MARSHAL.”
The $1 silver coin honors the agency’s frontier history. The obverse features a historic badge and deputy U.S. Marshals on horseback. The reverse features a frontier U.S. Marshal holding a wanted poster that reads “WANTED IN FT. SMITH.” Fort Smith, Ark., is the future home of the U.S. Marshals Museum.
The half-dollar clad coin captures the diverse missions of the agency throughout the Nation’s history. The obverse features a present-day female deputy U.S. Marshal and an old west U.S. Marshal in the background. The reverse depicts Lady Justice holding scales in one hand and a U.S. Marshal’s badge in the other. Other elements symbolize U.S. Marshals’ involvement during the Nation’s changing times, including public school integration.
The designs were unveiled by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia Hylton, and U.S. Mint Deputy Director Richard Peterson during a public event at the Department of Justice July 23, 2014.
In his remarks, Deputy Director Peterson said, “Every day, across the Nation, the United States Mint connects Americans through coins, and in 2015 it will be our great privilege to connect America to the legacy of the U.S. Marshals Service and your distinguished service to our country since 1789.”
Attorney General Eric Holder also praised the U.S. Marshals for their service.
“Today, we remember the federal law enforcement pioneers who helped to keep a fledging nation together; the legendary lawmen who tamed the Wild West; the icons who helped restore our country after civil war, and – particularly this year, as we celebrate both the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – the heroes who put their lives on the line to integrate schools, and enforce civil rights protections for all citizens, amid the turmoil and violence of the Civil Rights Era,” remarked Attorney General Holder.
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