Post Your Coins With Stars

It is almost as if they wanted to make more room for the text. Of course, I doubt I could do better, so I will end my criticism here.

The main design element of the 2019 American Legion Centennial Silver Dollar is the American Legion emblem/insignia; it appears on each side of the coin.

American Legion Emblem

(Image Credit: Image courtesy of the American Legion, https://www.legion.org/nalpa/245331...ion-emblems. Fair use.)

The American Legion emblem/insignia is full of symbolism, whether considered in whole or by its individual elements. Per the American Legion web site (www.legion.org/emblem), as a whole, the insignia represents "God and Country, and the highest rights of man."

The site also defines the individual elements of the emblem. Working from its center outward:

"The star, victory symbol of World War I, also symbolizes honor, glory and constancy. The letters "US" leave no doubt as to the brightest star in the Legion's star."

"The wreath forms the center, in loving memory of those brave comrades who gave their lives in the service of the United States that liberty might endure."

"The smaller of two inner rings set upon the star [borders of the dark red ring encircling "US"] represents service to our communities, states and the nation. The larger outer ring pledges loyalty to Americanism."

"The larger of two outer rings [borders of blue ring] stands for the rehabilitation of our sick and disabled comrades. The smaller inside ring denotes the welfare of America's children."

"The words American Legion tie the whole together for truth, remembrance, constancy, honor, service, veterans affairs and rehabilitation, children and youth, loyalty, and Americanism."

"The rays of the sun form the background of our proud emblem and suggests the Legion's principles will dispel the darkness of violence and evil."

(As referenced above, the description of the emblem's elements is taken from https://www.legion.org/emblem.)

The coin's obverse design presents the American Legion emblem flanked by oak leaves (each with an acorn) and a lily flower below. The lily recalls the initial organizational efforts made to establish the American Legion that took place in Paris, France in March 1919. Artist Paul C. Balan of the Mint's Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) created the design; US Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon created the sculpt.

At its center, the reverse design of the Silver Dollar features a pair pf crossed flags. The flag to the left is the US Flag, with the American Legion Flag to the right. The flags are flanked by the commemorative dates "1919" and "2019" with a a fleur-de-lis and the commemorative inscription "100 YEARS OF SERVICE" on three lines above. (The fleur-de-lis is another nod to the Paris and the sites of the Legion's founding.) The US Flag has 33 of its 50 stars (in whole or in part) visible, the Legion Flag displays the single star of its emblem. The elements are capped by an ornate, semi-circular arch.

The design was created by Patricia Lucas-Morris of the Mint's, AIP, and sculpted by US Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso.

2019 American Legion Centennial Silver Dollar

The Gold Half Eagle for the 2019 American Legion 100th Anniversary commemorative coin program completed its three-coin set. Of the three coins, it is my favorite, I find its design the most striking of the set and also the one that conveys the most compelling story.

The foundation of the coin's obverse design is the same sun burst as serves as the base of the American Legion emblem; the rays suggest "the Legion's principles will dispel the darkness of violence and evil." (See post above for further details.) Within the circular frame of the rays is found the Eiffel Tower - an allusion to the Legion's founding in Paris, France in 1919 - and a large "V" that is representative of Victory in World War I. The commemorative dates "1919" and "2019" flank the central elements.

The design was created by Chris Costello of the Mint's Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) and was sculpted by US Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.

A Bald Eagle in flight, representative of the United States, is depicted at the right on the coin's reverse design, with the American Legion Emblem in the field to the left. Though a bit "tight" with the combination of graphic elements plus legend, motto and denomination, I find the overall design to be bold, powerful and attractive. The design's eagle is majestic to my eyes!

The reverse design was the work of Paul C. Balan of the Mint's AIP; the design was sculpted by Medallic Artist Joseph Menna (soon after, Menna would be promoted to the position of US Mint Chief Engraver.)


2019 American Legion 100th Anniversary Gold Half Eagle

In 2020, the US Mint struck a Silver Dollar to mark the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution - the Amendment granted the right to vote to women. Funds raised from surcharges on the coin were earmarked for the Smithsonian Institution's American Women's History Initiative.

Continuing a recent trend, the US Mint also struck a commemorative Silver Medal for the anniversary and sold it as part of a two-piece set along with the Silver Dollar.

During an interview, Christine Hess, a member of the Mint's Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) and the coin's designer, described the obverse as featuring the profile portraits of three women "meant to evoke the longevity of the whole [Women's Suffrage] movement." She continued, (from top to bottom) "there's an older lady in a late 1800's hat, and then there's a younger lady in a hat that would be worn in the parades in the early 1900's and then, in the front, there's a woman with a classic crochet hat from the Twenties and it has a little button it that says '1920'." Phebe Hemphill, US Mint Medallic Artist. developed the sculpt.

The coin's reverse, developed by the same pair, features a decorated ballot box with the anniversary date - "2020" - representing a ballot being slipped into the box. On the front of the box is a circular sign bearing the inscription "VOTES FOR WOMEN" on three lines.

Though used subtly, Stars are included on each side of the coin. On the obverse, a single star appears on the hat of the late 1800's woman. On the reverse, two stars are seen on the box's "VOTES FOR WOMEN" sign; they flank "FOR" on the center line of the inscription.

2020 Women's Suffrage Centennial Silver Dollar



(A discussion of the 2020 Silver Medal will follow.)

Fantastic write-ups!

I really enjoy both of these issues and find no fault with any of the designs.


Indeed! How I love these sets. This is mine...

As do I! The 2022 Negro Leagues Baseball Proof Silver Dollar and Jackie Robinson Proof Silver Medal Set goes on sale next week and I am most definitely a buyer.

The 2021 Christa McAuliffe Silver Dollar was struck to recognize the social studies school teacher from Concord, New Hampshire who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 - 35 years prior. From the day the coin was announced I was disappointed that the six other astronauts who died in the Challenger tragedy were being largely ignored in favor of highlighting one of the shuttle mission's passengers. I lived through the events of the day, so I am well aware of the hype that surrounded McAuliffe and NASA's Teacher in Space Project at the time. That said, I just feel that the other astronauts who perished in the disaster (and their families) deserved more of a remembrance than the unnamed "star in the sky" reference they received via the coin.


Space Shuttle Challenger Crew

The crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-51-L pose for their official portrait on November 15, 1985. In the back row from left to right: Ellison S. Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis, and Judy Resnik. In the front row from left to right: Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, and Ron McNair.
(Image Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). https://images.nasa.gov/ Public Domain.)


But enough editorializing...

Surchages collected by the Mint on every sale of the coin are to be paid to the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Program for use in "inspiring young people's interest and participation in science and technology." FIRST was created in 1989; the Program is "dedicated to carrying on the mission of Christa McAuliffe of inspiring students and creating a new generation of dreamers and innovators." (Public Law 116-65)

The dominant design element of the coin's obverse is the left-facing, three-quarter bust portrait of McAuliffe. The identifyin inscription "CHRISTINA McAULIFFE" extends between the 9 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions near the rim. The design was created by Laurie J. Musser, US Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer and sculpted by US Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.

The reverse depicts a smiling McAuliffe in her role as a teacher, presenting her with a group of three students and pointing toward the sky. In the sky are seen seven stars, one for each astronaut on board Challenger when it exploded; the FIRST logo is presented in the field to the left of the students. Two additional stars are used as separators between the motto, denomination and legend in the inscription that runs from the 9 o'clock to the 3 o'clock positions near the rim. Emily Damstra, US Mint AIP Designer created the deisgn; it was sculpted by US Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna. Damstra has also created the designs for a large number of Canadian topical and commemorative coins struck by the Royal Canadian Mint..


2021 Christa McAuliffe Silver Dollar

The final commemorative coin program of the fourth decade of the modern US commemorative coin series is the National Law Enforcement Museum three-coin program. The coins were struck "to honor and commemorate the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States" and to provide financial support to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc. for its use in preparing "educational and outreach programs and exhibits." (Public Law 116-94). Multiple star types are seen across the three coins.

Construction on the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC began in April 2016; the Museum officially opened in October 2018. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc. is the group behind the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (supported by a commemorative silver dollar in 1997) and the Museum.

The group's Vision is "To inspire all citizens to value law enforcement." It describes the Mission of the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum as "to honor the fallen, tell the story of American law enforcement, and make it safer for those who serve." (National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Fund web site, https://www.nleomf.org.)

This post focuses on the copper-nickel (CuNi) Clad Half Dollar.

The primary element of the Half Dollar's obverse design is a sheriff's star badge which is meant to symbolize the role that law enforcement officers play in protecting the public and providing service to the same. A five-pointed star is seen at the center, within a ring, superimposed over a six-pointed star. "LIBERTY" is presented on a ribbon above the five-pointed star; "SERVE AND PROTECT" is positioned inside the coin's upper rim, between the 9:30 and 2:30 clock positions. The design was created by US Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Ronald D. Sanders; the design's sculpt was produced by US Mint Medallic Artist John P. Mcgraw.

The coin's reverse design, by freelance artist/sculptor Heidi Wastweet, presents a human eye reflected in a traditional magnifying glass as a fingerprint is inspected. The design represents the "human side" of justice and serves to remind the viewer that the scope of law enforcement officers extends well beyond street patrols. At the bottom of the design are seen three intertwined shields that are elements of the logo of the National Law Enforcement Officers Museum. The sculpt of the design was prepared by US Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon.


2021 National Law Enforcement Museum CuNi Clad Half Dollar



For more on the overall program, see:

- 2021 National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coins