Post Your Coins With Stars

The second coin of the National Law Enforcement Museum commemorative coin program is a Silver Dollar. As with the other coins of the program, per the enabling legislation, the Silver Dollar's design was required to be "emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Museum and the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States." It meets this stipulation be depicting scenes of Law Enforcement Officers fulfilling their roles in community service.

Following up on the Mission Statement of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc. (see previous post), the program's enabling legislation included the following regarding the museum itself:

(4) The National Law Enforcement Museum's mission is—

(A) to honor and commemorate the extraordinary service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers;

(B) to serve as an important bridge between law enforcement's past and present, between the heroes of yesteryear and those who have followed in their footsteps, and between America's peace officers and the public they serve;

(C) increase public understanding and support for law enforcement and to promote law enforcement safety; and

(D) strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve with thought-provoking programs at the Museum and around the country that promote dialogue on topics of current interest.

The Silver Dollar's obverse design features a scene with a kneeling police officer and a young child sitting on a basketball while reading a magazine. The scene is meant to represent community service and the importance of engaging future generations. The design is the work of Frank Morris, an artist within the Mint's Artistic Infusion Program (AIP); the design's sculpt was created by US Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.

The reverse design, host to the coin's star, presents a law enforcement office - a sergeant - shaking hands with a formally-dressed (i.e., jacket and tie) community member. In addition to the three chevrons indicating rank, the officer also has a "POLICE" patch on his sleeve. The patch features a seven-pointed star (heptagram) with branches of laurel flanking it. The symbolism behind the heptagram varies greatly by culture, religion and general context (e.g., magic), but among its symbolic meanings is "protection" and "warding off evil" - this symbolism is likely at the root of the heptagram's popularity among law enforcement badges.

The reverse design was created by Ronald D. Sanders of the Mint's AIP, it was sculpted by US Mint Medallic Artist John R. McGraw. The pair also teamed up for the obverse design of the program's Clad Half Dollar.


2021 National Law Enforcement Museum Silver Dollar

For my 999th post, how bout a coin with stars from Russia .
A 1980 Olympics commemorative rouble from the 1978 games...

Lovely examples!

Classic!

Another classic!

The hits keep coming.

There is some circulation cameo starting to form on that one.

Excellent!