Yesterday the United States Mint unveiled the commemorative 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar designs in a pre-game ceremony at Fort Benning’s historic Doughboy Stadium in Georgia.
Taking place before the football matchup between the Fort Benning Doughboys and the Columbus State University Cougars, B. B. Craig, Associate Director of Sales and Marketing at the United States Mint, spoke before the crowd and special guests representing the National Infantry Foundation and Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients.
"The United States Mint wanted infantry soldiers and their families to be the first people in the nation to see the designs of this new U.S. commemorative silver dollar being created in their honor. So we have come here tonight, joined by these distinguished guests, to unveil the coin designs of the 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar for the first time," Craig stated.
Marv Levy, former NFL coach of the Buffalo Bills, then used a prototype of the newly designed coin in the coin toss before the football game.
The Public Law No: 110-357 creating the commemorative coin, the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act, was signed by President George W. Bush on October 8, 2008. Its purpose is to honor the U. S. Army Infantry and the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
In particular, the designs had to be "emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry."
Designed by Joel Iskowitz and engraved by Michael Gaudioso, the obverse features a modern Infantry soldier in mid-stride carrying a rifle. Two rifles crossed in the form of an X are featured on the reverse, which was designed by Ronald D. Sanders and engraved by Norman E. Nemeth.
Obverse inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2012. Reverse inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
The United States Mint has said that the coin is expected to debut in February 2012 in proof and uncirculated collector qualities. The maximum mintage will be 350,000 and divided between the two versions based on demand. Like many modern commemoratives, the Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar will contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper, have a diameter of 1.5 inches, and weigh 26.73 grams.
A $10 surcharge for the sale of each coin would go to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
