WASHINGTON — The United States Mint today announced the designs for the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Convention in Denver. United States Mint Director Ed Moy unveiled the designs. Under the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 110–277), the agency will mint and issue commemorative coins in honor of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The coin’s designs, approved by Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner on July 30, 2009, are emblematic of the service of our disabled veterans who made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principles of our democracy. The obverse (heads side) design depicts the legs and boots of three disabled veterans. The inscription in the banner along the coin’s upper rim, THEY STOOD UP FOR US, pays tribute to the courageous disabled veterans who fought to preserve our freedom. Additional inscriptions on the obverse are IN GOD WE TRUST, 2010 and LIBERTY.
The reverse (tails) design depicts a forget–me–not flower at the base of a wreath wrapped in a ribbon that cradles and supports clusters of oak branches. The oak branches represent strength, while the forget–me–not is a widely accepted symbol of remembrance for those who sacrificed their blood and their health for our country’s cause. The inscriptions are Take This Moment to Honor Our Disabled Defenders of Freedom, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE DOLLAR.
The United States Mint will mint proof and uncirculated versions of the commemorative $1 coin in 90 percent silver. The coins will bear the “W” mint mark of the United States Mint at West Point. Mintage is set at 350,000 coins across all product options.
Surcharges collected from sales of the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar coins are authorized to be paid to the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation. The surcharges will help the Foundation support the construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was authorized by Congress in 2000.
The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.
Digital images of the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar are available at http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo