Washington — The United States Mint announced today that it will begin selling the 2005 Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar on April 25, 2005, at 12:00 noon (ET). Public Law 108–290 authorizes a maximum mintage of 400,000 Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollars to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Chief Justice’s birth, on September 24, 1755, and to pay tribute to his service to the Supreme Court of the United States and to our Nation.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each coin is authorized to be paid to the Supreme Court Historical Society. Both the proof and uncirculated versions of the coin will be minted at the United States Mint at Philadelphia and carry the P mint mark.
Under his leadership for more than 34 years, the English practice of each Justice writing his own opinion was replaced with the Court’s speaking with one majority voice; the Court asserted in Marbury vs. Madison that the Judicial branch has the authority to overturn an Act of Congress if it is not in conformity with the United States Constitution; and Marshall authored many other landmark opinions.
Designed by United States Mint sculptor/engraver John Mercanti, the obverse of the Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar features a rendition of a portrait of John Marshall originally executed by French painter Charles–Balthazar–Julien Fevret de Saint–Memin in March of 1808. The reverse, by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver features a view of the Old Supreme Court Chamber, located inside the Capitol, on the side which houses the United States Senate. Construction on the original chamber, designed and built by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, began in November 1806. The court session that began in February 1819, with John Marshall presiding, was the first to be held in the chamber.
A portion of the proceeds from the sales of each coin is authorized to be paid to the Supreme Court Historical Society. Both the proof and uncirculated versions of the coin will be minted at the United States Mint at Philadelphia and carry the P mint mark.
The Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar is initially available as a proof silver dollar and as an uncirculated silver dollar coin. The full program offer, coming this summer, will also include the Chief Justice John Marshall Coin &Chronicles Set that will feature a striking intaglio print of the Chief Justice executed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing as well as in informative booklet prepared by the Supreme Court Historical Society. Reminiscent of the Prestige Set previously offered by the United States Mint, the Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar will also be part of a special set pairing with the Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar, which will be available later in the year.
The pre–issue period for the Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar is being extended to June 27, 2005. This date is 30 days from when the final segment of the Spring Catalog is expected to be mailed. This is to ensure that our traditional commemorative customers will receive the information and have ample opportunity to take advantage of the pre–issue period, since the direct mail for this program will be going out later in the program.
During the pre–issue period, from April 25 to June 27, the proof silver dollar will be available for $35 and the uncirculated silver dollar for $33. After June 27, the proof silver dollar will be available for $39 and the uncirculated silver dollar for $35.
Customers can purchase the Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar by using the United States Mint’s secure website, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders.