WASHINGTON — The United States Mint today announced that bronze duplicates and miniature bronze replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal honoring the Tuskegee Airmen are now available.
President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen today in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, in recognition of the Airmen’s unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.
The obverse (heads side) design of the Congressional Gold Medal, by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Phebe Hemphill, features three Tuskegee Airmen in profile, an officer, a mechanic, and a pilot, as designated by their headgear. An eagle flies with wings outstretched, symbolizing flight, nobility, and the highest ideals of the Nation, with the inscriptions, “Tuskegee Airmen,” “1941,” and “1949.”
The reverse (tails side) design, by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Don Everhart, features a rendition of the three types of planes the Tuskegee Airmen flew in World War II, based on a logo design of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. The planes depicted in the design are the P–40, P–51, and the B–25, with the inscriptions, “Outstanding Combat Record Inspired Revolutionary Reform in the Armed Forces,” “Act of Congress” and “2006.”
Duplicate three–inch bronze medals are available from the United States Mint for $38.00 (Product Number 903), and the 1–1/2 inch miniature bronze replicas of the large medal are available for $3.75 (Product Number 904).
The public is invited to purchase the bronze medals online using the United States Mint’s secure website at www.usmint.gov, or by calling toll–free 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all orders. Hearing– and speech–impaired customers may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.
For a digital image of the Congressional Gold Medal honoring the Tuskegee Airmen go to:
http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/?action=photo#TuskegeeAirmen.