As the March 5, 2012 release date of the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins approaches, the U.S. Mint on Monday revealed images for each of the four commemoratives and two-coin proof set, published online pages that will be used to order them and has provided details for their ceremonial launch.
The 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins celebrate the bicentennial writing of America’s national anthem by Francis Scott Key. The $5 gold coins and silver dollars bear designs emblematic of the War of 1812, with representations depicting a naval battle scene from the War of 1812, the Star-Spangled Banner anthem, Lady Liberty waiving a 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner flag and a waving modern American flag.
A ceremony to launch the commemorative coins is scheduled to begin by 11:00 AM ET on March 5 at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Visitor Center, located at 2400 East Fort Avenue in Baltimore, MD. Expected attending officials include:
- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin
- U.S. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
- U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes
- Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley
- Fort McHenry NM&HS Supt. Tina Orcutt
- United States Mint Chief Counsel Daniel Shaver
Immediately following the ceremony at about 11:30 AM, those present may purchase special replicas of coins by Kirchmayr Chocolates.
"We wanted to put some gold dust or silver dust on (the coins), but it came out so nicely that we just left mild and dark chocolate that it basically represents the gold and silver," said chocolatier Albert Kirchmayr, according to WBAL Baltimore.
At 12:00 noon ET, anyone may visit the U.S. Mint website at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468) to place an order for the actual gold and silver coins.
The commemorative coins will be produced in both proof and uncirculated collector qualities. The following table provides mintages and pricing for each:
| Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins | Mintages | Introductory Price | Regular Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof $5 Coin | 100,000 Max | TBD | TBD |
| Uncirculated $5 Coin | TBD | TBD | |
| Two-Coin Proof Set (Proof $5 Gold and Proof Silver Dollar) | TBD | TBD | |
| Proof Silver Dollar | 500,000 Max | $49.95 | $54.95 |
| Uncirculated Silver Dollar | $44.95 | $49.95 |
Prices for the uncirculated and proof $5 gold commemorative coins and two-coin proof set will be market-priced weekly based on this year’s commemorative gold coin pricing grid, with their debuting amounts revealed by Wednesday, February 29. The silver dollar introductory prices will be in effect from noon ET on March 5, 2012, through 5 PM ET on April 5, 2012, after which the regular prices will be in effect.
Surcharges of $35 for each gold coin and $10 for each silver dollar sold will be given to the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission to support the bicentennial activities, educational outreach, and preservation and improvements to the War of 1812 sites and related structures.
