Designs for the upcoming 2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Program were unveiled by the United States Mint late Thursday, October 18, 2012.
The six designs are featured on three new coins to be issued as part of the commemorative program, including a $5 gold coin, a silver dollar and a half-dollar clad coin. All three will be struck to both proof and uncirculated qualities — finishes appealing to collectors. Maximum mintages are set at 100,000 gold coins, 500,000 silver dollars and 750,000 clad half-dollar coins.
The release of the six commemoratives marks the 132nd anniversary of the CGSC. Individuals honored on the coins include United States Army 5-star Generals Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall, Henry "Hap" Arnold, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar N. Bradley. The generals either attended or taught at the CGSC.
Congress authorized the collectible pieces with the passage of the 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 111-262). It was signed into law on October 8, 2010 by President Barack Obama.
"These men served their country in unforgettable ways," stated Rep. Dennis Moore of Kansas who introduced the Act. "We can never fully show our gratitude for their service, but we can honor them by continuing to support the Command and General Staff College’s tradition of training the world’s finest military officers."
An official release date for the commemorative coins has not yet been announced by the Mint.
2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins Designs
As mentioned, three different coins will be released by the U.S. Mint as part of the 2013 5-Star General Commemorative Coin Program. This includes a gold coin with a face value of five dollars, a silver coin with a face value of one dollar and a clad half-dollar coin. Design details, including images, follow.
5-Star General Commemorative Gold Coin Designs
Shown on the obverse of the $5 gold commemorative coin is a portrait of General Douglas MacArthur with a 5-star insignia to the right. It was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Associate Designer Ronald D. Sanders and will be sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudiso.
The reverse of the $5 coin depicts the Leavenworth Lamp, which serves as the symbol of the CGSC. AIP Master Designer Barbara Fox was responsible for the design with execution to be completed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
5-Star General Commemorative Silver Coin Designs
The obverse of the silver dollar commemorative coin offers portraits of Generals George C. Marshall and Dwight D. Eisenhower with a striped background and the 5-star insignia above. AIP Master Designer Richard Masters designed this image with sculpting duties to be completed by Joseph Menna.
Offered again on the reverse of the silver dollar is a depiction of the Leavenworth Lamp. Barbara Fox designed the reverse with Joseph Menna in charge of execution.
5-Star General Commemorative Half-Dollar Coin Designs
Generals Henry "Hap" Arnold and Omar N. Bradley are featured on the obverse of the half-dollar commemorative coin along with the 5-star insignia. U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill designed the obverse and will also sculpt it.
The heraldic crest of Fort Leavenworth is shown on the reverse of the clad coin. Hemphill is also responsible for this design and will execute it as well.
Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting Display
Artistic representations of the new commemorative coin imagery will be on display October 22-24 at the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. They may be found at the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) Foundation’s booth #1653.
Surcharges
Surcharges will be collected on sales of each coin and forwarded to the Secretary to the Command and General Staff College Foundation to help finance its support of the Command and General Staff College. These surcharges include $35 for each gold coin sold, $10 for each silver dollar and $5 for each clad half dollar.
