To round out the month of February, the United States Mint is releasing its second commemorative coin program in 2024 with the Greatest Generation Series. Starting tomorrow at 12pm EST, sales will open for pre-orders with expected shipping dates beginning in early April.
Honoring the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II, the designs are symbolic of the National World War II Memorial and will be featured on a $1 silver coin, a half dollar clad coin, and a $5 gold coin. The sales price of each coin will include a surcharge which will be payable to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the maintenance and repair work the National Park Service needs for the National World War II Memorial. The surcharges will also help support educational and commemorative programs.
All products will come in the U.S. Mint’s black presentation boxes and be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
$1 Silver Coin
Designed by Beth Zaiken and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, the obverse of the $1 silver coin features six figures working together in support of the Earth. This image illustrates cooperation of each of the United States military branches, including the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Army and Marine Corps, in addition to the Merchant Marine during the Second World War. “1941-1945,” “WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL,” “DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2024” are the featured inscriptions.
Featuring a view from beneath a Baldacchino (sculptural canopy inside a Victory Pavilion in the World War II Memorial), a sculpture depicts four eagles holding a laurel wreath on the reverse designed by Ben Sowards. Within the wreath is a globe that is centered on the Pacific Ocean. Inscriptions featured are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “VICTORY,” “IN THE AIR,” “AT SEA,” “ON LAND,” “WWII MEMORIAL,” and “ONE DOLLAR.” The design was sculpted by Renata Gordon.
The $1 Proof Coin option will retail for $82.00. Struck at Philadelphia, the mintage limit across all options sold is 400,000.
In addition, the Uncirculated Silver Dollar option, which is also struck at Philadelphia, will be available for $77.00. It will have a mintage limit of 400,000.
Half Dollar Clad Coin
The obverse of the Elana Hagler design features a reimagination of the Victory Medal that was awarded to those who served in the Armed Forces during the Second World War. The figure of Liberation stands with open arms, holding two halves of a broken sword to symbolize the war’s ending. “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “WORLD WAR II,” “2024,” and “WE ANSWERED THE CALL” are inscribed around the Craig A. Campbell sculpted design.
Sculpted by John P. McGraw and designed by Matt Swaim, the reverse of the half dollar depicts the World War II Memorial from the viewpoint of a person walking up a ramp leading to one of the towers. Inscriptions included are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “HALF DOLLAR.”
Struck at San Francisco, the Proof Half Dollar will have a mintage limit of 750,000 and retail of $49.00 The Uncirculated version will have the same mintage limit and retail at $47.00.
$5 Gold Coin
Featuring a section of the Wall of Stars at the World War II Memorial with an Olive Branch, the obverse has been designed with each star on the wall representing 100 Americans who lost their lives in the war. The Olive Branch is meant to represent the peace that followed in the name of their sacrifice. Designed by Heidi Wastweet and sculpted by Eric David Custer, additional inscriptions include “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “2024,” and “WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL.”
The reverse features a folded American flag such as one that would be presented at a funeral of a fallen service member. Inscriptions featured are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “WWII MEMORIAL,” “TO UNITE THE GENERATIONS OF TOMORROW,” and “FIVE DOLLARS.” Ben Sowards is the designer with Chief Engraver Joseph Menna as the sculptor.
Both the Proof and Uncirculated $5 gold coins will come from West Point and have a mintage limit of 50,000 across all options sold.
Three-Coin Proof Set
Aside from all products being available for purchase individually, there will also be a three-coin Proof Set. The set will include all three commemorative Proof coins for the program, including the $5 gold coin, silver dollar, and half dollar. Representing the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Point Mints, the product limit for the set will be 5,000 with an initial household limit of just one.
Source: United States Mint