2018 WWI Centennial Silver Dollars and Medals Launch

Today, Jan. 17, 2018, the United States Mint releases seven products commemorating the centennial of America’s involvement in World War I.

They include a 2018 Proof WWI Centennial Silver Dollar, a 2018 Uncirculated WWI Centennial Silver Dollar and five associated sets. The sets contain a proof WWI silver dollar and silver medals honoring branches of the U.S. Armed Forces that were active in the First World War — the Army, the Navy, the Air Service, the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Coast Guard.

All seven products launch at noon (ET) with special introductory pricing for the individual proof and uncirculated silver dollars available until Feb. 20, 2018, at 3:00 p.m.

World War I Centennial Silver Dollars

A design competition for the silver dollars was required by the authorizing law. LeRoy Transfield of Orem, Utah won the competition with an obverse (heads side) design named "Soldier’s Charge," which shows a soldier gripping a rifle and barbed wire twines. Inscriptions of LIBERTY, 1918, 2018 and IN GOD WE TRUST complete the image.

Transfield’s reverse design, titled “Poppies in the Wire,” depicts abstract poppies mixed in with barbed wire. Reverse inscriptions read ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Both the proof and uncirculated WWI silver dollars are produced at the U.S. Mint’s facility in Philadelphia and bear its ‘P’ mintmark.

Don Everhart sculpted the designs for use on coinage. Everhart’s and Transfield’s initials are seen on both coin sides.

Public Law 113–212 authorizes the silver dollars. To support the commemorative coin program, the U.S. Mint created the five medals that are available only within the sets — you have to buy each set to get all five medals. The medals depict designs emblematic of the military branch they honor.

World War I Centennial Army Medal

The Army silver medal obverse depicts a soldier cutting through German barbed wire, while a second soldier aims a rifle amid a shattered landscape of broken trees and cratered earth. A shell explodes in the distance. Emily Damstra designed the image and Don Everhart sculpted it.

The reverse features the United States Army emblem, which was also in use during World War I, with the inscriptions OVER THERE!, CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I, 2018, and UNITED STATES ARMY. Don Everhart also executed the design for medals.

This medal is produced at the West Point Mint.

World War I Centennial Marine Corps Medal

The Marine silver medal obverse depicts the aftermath of the Battle of Belleau Wood. One Marine stands guard as the other kneels to pay respect to the fallen. The inscription quotes a report to the American Expeditionary Forces: WOODS NOW U.S. MARINE CORPS ENTIRELY. Chris Costello designed the image and Michael Gaudioso sculpted it.

The reverse features the World War I-era version of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem with the inscriptions CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I, 2018, OVER THERE!, and BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOOD. Joseph Menna executed the design for medals.

This medal is produced at the San Francisco Mint.

World War I Centennial Navy Medal

The Navy silver medal obverse depicts a U.S. Navy destroyer on escort duty after deploying a depth charge in defense of a convoy. Above the destroyer, kite balloons provide Navy personnel a platform to spot submarines and other dangers. The inscription OVER THERE!, appears at the bottom of the design. Chris Costello designed the image and Michael Gaudioso sculpted it.

The reverse features an Officers Cap Device used in World War I. (An official, uniform seal of the United States Navy had not been adopted at the time of World War I.) Inscriptions are UNITED STATES NAVY, 2018, and CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I. Renata Gordon executed the design for medals.

This medal is produced at the Philadelphia Mint.

World War I Centennial Air Service Medal

The Air Service silver medal obverse depicts the iconic SPAD XIII, a World War I fighter flown by many Americans and valued for its speed, strength, and firepower, viewed from the top and side. The inscription SPAD XIII identifies the aircraft. Ron Sanders designed the image and Joseph Menna sculpted it.

The reverse design features the Military Aviator Insignia with the inscriptions CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I, 2018, OVER THERE!, AIR SERVICE, and AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. Joseph Menna also executed the design for medals.

This medal is produced at the Denver Mint.

World War I Centennial Coast Guard Medal

The Coast Guard silver medal obverse depicts a lifeboat from the Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Seneca heading out in heavy seas toward the torpedoed steamship Wellington. Phebe Hemphill designed and sculpted the image.

The reverse features the World War I-era Coast Guard emblem, with the inscriptions CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I, 2018, and OVER THERE! Phebe Hemphill also executed the design for medals.

This medal is produced at the Philadelphia Mint.

WWI Silver Dollar and Medal Pricing and Specifications

Introductory and regular pricing for the silver dollars and prices for the sets follow.

Coin specifications for the commemorative silver dollars include a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper, a weight of 26.730 grams, a diameter of 1.5 inches and a reeded edge. The medals feature similar specifications but have a plain edge.

Ordering and Limits

Order the products directly from the United States Mint via its Commemorative Coins page. Orders are also accepted by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Each product ships in a Mint-branded presentation case and includes a certificate of authenticity.

Up to 350,000 of the silver dollars will be issued. No more than 100,000 of the sets will be sold across all product options. There are no household ordering restrictions.

Surcharges of $10 will be collected on the sale of each commemorative product with proceeds, after associated costs, paid to the United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars to assist the World War I Centennial Commission in memorializing the centenary of the war.