Today, Oct 30, 2014, the March of Dimes Foundation and the United States Mint revealed designs for the commemorative 2015 March of Dimes Silver Dollar.
Up to 500,000 of the silver dollars are authorized by the March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act, Public Law 112-209, to celebrate the Foundation’s 75th anniversary. The commemorative coins will be offered next year in collectible finishes of proof and uncirculated.
Established on Jan. 3, 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the then named National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was created to combat the polio epidemic. Now called the March of Dimes in remembrance of public fund-raising campaigns to contribute dimes for support, the Foundation’s mission has refocused as it works to reduce the incidence of preterm birth, infant mortality, birth defects, and lifelong disabilities and disorders.
Obverse and reverse designs were selected by the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury on July 21, 2014 after consulting with the March of Dimes Foundation and the United States Mint and considering design recommendations from the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
Designed by Artistic Infusion Program artist Paul C. Balan with U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso to complete its sculpting, the obverse or heads side depicts a double portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dr. Jonas Salk. This design was one of those favored by the March of Dimes and it was recommended by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
FDR founded the Foundation while Dr. Jonas Salk discovered and developed the first successful anti-polio vaccine. Inscriptions to the right of the pair are LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Centered below is the year of the coins’ issue, 2015.
Reverses depict a baby sleeping peacefully in the hand of its parent, representing the Foundation’s present and future mission of advancing work that supports healthy pregnancies and addresses prematurity. The design was also one of those favored by the March of Dimes and it was a contender for the Commission of Fine Arts.
Created by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart who will also sculpt it, inscriptions around the design read: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MARCH OF DIMES, $1 and E PLURIBUS UNUM. As requested by the Foundation, MARCH OF DIMES replaced the original candidate inscription of CELEBRATING 75 YEARS.
Coins will be struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weigh 26.730 grams and have a diameter of 1.500 inches.
Details like the release date and introductory and regular pricing have yet to be announced. Pricing of the coins will include a surcharge of $10 per coin for the Foundation to help finance research, education, and services aimed at improving the health of women, infants, and children.
For more information about the coins, also check out the U.S. Mint background page found here.
