Seven new products launched today as part of the United States Mint’s 2019 American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program.
Options include $5 gold coins, silver dollars and clad half-dollars in proof and uncirculated collector finishes and a three-coin proof set holding one of each denomination. All are issued under the American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 115-65) to recognize the American Legion’s centennial.
The Legion (www.legion.org) was founded March 15, 1919, in Paris, France, out of concern for the welfare of soldiers and the communities they returned to in the United States after World War I. Charted by Congress later that year as a patriotic organization for veterans, the Legion quickly grew into one of the largest veteran’s service organization in the United States.
American Legion Coin Designs and Specifications
Final designs for the commemorative coins were selected from 63 candidates after consulting with the Adjutant of The American Legion, the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), and the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee (CCAC).
Appearing on the $5 gold coin obverse (heads side) is an image marking the inception of the American Legion and its mission to serve America and its war veterans. It includes an outer geometric rim design from the American Legion emblem, the Eiffel Tower, and V for victory. Inscriptions read "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," "1919," and "2019." Chris Costello designed the image and Phebe Hemphill sculpted it.
On the reverse (tails side), we find a soaring eagle, symbolizing the United States. The American Legion emblem is above the eagle. Inscriptions read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "$5," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Paul C. Balan designed the reverse and Joseph Menna sculpted it.
For the silver dollar obverse, an American Legion emblem adorned by oak leaves and a lily is shown. Inscriptions include "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2019" with Paul C. Balan designing and Renata Gordon sculpting.
The silver dollars’ reverse represents the founding of the American Legion in Paris in 1919 with crossed American and American Legion flags. A fleur-de-lis is above with the inscription "100 Years of Service." Additional inscriptions read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "1919," "2019," "$1," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Patricia Lucas-Morris designed the reverse and Michael Gaudioso sculpted it.
Found on clad half dollar obverses is a design depicting two children standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The little girl is shown wearing what is said to be her grandfather’s old American Legion hat. Inscriptions include "LIBERTY," "2019," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG…" Richard Masters designed the obverse and Phebe Hemphill sculpted it.
Each reverse design shows an American Flag flying in the air with continuing pledge of allegiance inscriptions: "…OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Other inscriptions include "E PLURIBUS UNUM and "HALF DOLLAR." Richard Masters also designed the reverse. Joseph Menna sculpted it.
Six Different American Legion Commemorative Coins
| $5 Gold | Silver Dollar | 50c | |
| Finish | Proof and Uncirculated | Proof and Uncirculated | Proof and Uncirculated |
| Mintage Maximums | 50,000 | 400,000 | 750,000 |
| Composition | 90% Gold, 6% Silver, Balance Copper |
99.9% Silver | 8.33% Nickel, Balance Copper |
| Weight | 8.359 Grams | 26.73 Grams | 11.34 Grams |
| Diameter | 0.850 Inches | 1.500 Inches | 1.205 Inches |
| Edge | Reeded | Reeded | Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark | West Point – W | Philadelphia – P | San Francisco – S (Proof) Denver – D (Uncirculated) |
Commemorative Coin Pricing, Mintages and Limits
Pricing of the American Legion products are presented in the chart below:
| Introductory Price | Regular Prices** | Mintage Limit | Product Limit | Household Order Limit | |
| 2019-W Proof $5 Gold Coin | $418.75* | * | 50,000 | None | 1 |
| 2019-W Uncirculated $5 Gold Coin | $408.75* | 1 | |||
| 2019-P Proof Silver Dollar | $54.95 | $59.95 | 400,000 | None | |
| 2019-P Uncirculated Silver Dollar | $51.95 | $56.95 | None | ||
| 2019-S Proof Clad Half Dollar | $27.95 | $32.95 | 750,000 | None | |
| 2019-D Uncirculated Clad Half Dollar | $25.95 | $30.95 | None | ||
| Three-Coin Proof Set | N/A | $489.25 | N/A | 7,500 | 1 |
*Gold coin prices are set according to the Mint’s pricing matrix. They can change weekly based on market fluctuations. **Regular pricing goes into effect on April 15, 2019 at 3 p.m. EST.
Ordering and Surcharges
American Legion 100th Anniversary Coins are available from the U.S. Mint’s online store for commemorative products, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 per silver dollar and $5 for each clad half-dollar are included in the prices. These surcharges, provided the coins turn a profit, will be paid to the American Legion to support the Legion’s programs for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and other purposes specified by the authorizing legislation.
