NEW YORK — Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios joined U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site today to announce the opening of sales for the 2011 September 11 National Medal. The United States Mint released the medals for sale to the public at noon Eastern Time (ET) today.
Rios and Nadler presented a shadowbox containing the medal to Joe Daniels, president and CEO of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, who also participated in the event. The medal was authorized by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–221).
“The medal we present to the American public today has been created by the United States Mint to commemorate September 11, 2001 – a day that changed our Nation and world forever,” said Rios. “This medal’s design is intended to exalt the memory of those that sacrificed their lives or were injured, and the families who continue to show dignity and strength in the face of terrible loss.”
The United States Mint is striking and making available for sale to the public the one–ounce silver medals in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. The bureau will strike up to two million medals in proof quality.
The medal’s obverse (heads side) features Lady Liberty holding the Lamp of Remembrance. Behind her are beacons of light stretching skyward. Liberty, the lamp and the light symbolize not only the immeasurable loss on the fateful day, but also the resiliency and triumph of those who persevered. Inscriptions are ALWAYS REMEMBER and 2001 – 2011. The reverse (tails side) design depicts an eagle, symbolizing the strength of the survivors, the families and the Nation, against a backdrop of cascading water. The flowing water is emblematic of peace, serenity, healing and the continuity of life. Inscriptions are HONOR and HOPE.
The 2011 September 11 National Medal is available for purchase at the United States Mint’s secure Web site, www.usmint.gov/catalog, at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468), and at 1–888–321–MINT (6468), the United States Mint’s telephone ordering line for hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment. The introductory sales price of $56.95 is in effect through August 18, 2011, at 5 p.m. ET, when the regular price of $66.95 each goes into effect. A $10 surcharge collected from the sale of each medal is authorized to be paid to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, a private not–for–profit organization overseeing the design and funding of the memorial and museum at the World Trade Center site. The funds will support the museum’s operations and maintenance once it is completed. Orders for the medal are expected to begin shipping on September 1.
The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing 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.