Today, March 21, 2013, the United States Mint released clad half-dollar, silver dollar and $5 gold 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins. Each is available from the U.S. Mint at introductory pricing.
Struck in uncirculated and proof qualities, the commemoratives honor five United States Army 5-star generals and celebrate the 132nd anniversary of the founding of the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC).
As first discussed last year and described further below, the individuals featured on the commemorative coins include Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall, Henry "Hap" Arnold, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar N. Bradley. All five were affiliated with the CGSC in some fashion, either as students or as instructors.
Prices and Specifications of 5-Star General Commemorative Coins and Three-Coin Proof Set
Prices for the $5 gold coins may vary weekly based on the U.S. Mint’s coin pricing matrix. Initial pricing stands at $485.50 for the proof and $480.50 for the uncirculated. These price points reflect a $5 introductory discount that expires at 5 p.m. (ET) on April 19, 2013.
Proof silver dollars are initially $54.95 and uncirculated dollars are $50.95. Like their gold counterparts, this introductory pricing reflects a $5 discount which expires on April 19th.
In clad products, the proof half-dollar is $17.95 and the uncirculated is $16.95. After April 19th, their prices increase by $4.
Finally, there is the 2013 5-Star Generals Three-Coin Proof Set for $546.50. Its price goes up $5 after April 19. Included within the set are proofs of the $5 gold coin, silver dollar and clad half-dollar.
The following table offers specifications for the commemoratives.
2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Specifications
| $5 Gold Coin | Silver Dollar | Half Dollar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | $5 | $1 | $0.50 |
| Composition | 90% Gold, 10% Alloy | 90% Silver, 10% Copper | 8.33% Nickel, Balance Copper |
| Weight | 8.359 grams nominal | 26.730 grams nominal | 11.340 grams (±0.454) |
| Diameter | 0.850 inch (±0.003) or 21.59 mm (±0.08) | 1.500 inches (±0.003) or 38.10 mm (±0.08) | 1.205 inches (±0.002) or 30.61 mm (±0.05) |
| Edge | Reeded | Reeded | Reeded |
| Mint Mark | Proof ‘W’, Uncirculated ‘P’ | Proof ‘P’, Uncirculated ‘W’ | Proof ‘P’, Uncirculated ‘D’ |
5-Star Generals $5 Gold Commemorative Coins
Up to 100,000 of the $5 gold coins will be issued by the United States Mint. This includes those struck to proof quality at West Point, which bear the ‘W’ mint mark, and the uncirculated coins from Philadelphia with the ‘P’ mint mark.
On the obverse of the gold coin is a portrait of General Douglas MacArthur and the 5-star insignia. Inscriptions include IN GOD WE TRUST, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, 2013 and LIBERTY. The design was completed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Associate Designer Ronald D. Sanders with United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudiso executing.
The reverse features a depiction of the Leavenworth Lamp, the symbol of the CGSC. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE DOLLARS and FORT LEAVENWORTH. AIP Master Designer Barbara Fox designed the reverse image with United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna in charge of execution.
5-Star Generals Silver Dollar Commemorative Coins
The silver dollars have a maximum mintage of 500,000. The proof silver dollars bear a ‘P’ mint mark and the uncirculated silver dollars have the ‘W’ mint mark.
On the obverse are portraits of Generals George C. Marshall and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Inscriptions include GEORGE C. MARSHALL, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, IN GOD WE TRUST, 2013 and LIBERTY. AIP Master Designer Richard Masters designed the obverse, and Joseph Menna was in charge of execution.
Eisenhower’s image on dollar-denominated coins is not new. Ike’s portrait was featured on Eisenhower dollars from 1971 to 1978 and also on 1990 $1 Eisenhower Centennial Commemorative Coins that celebrated the 100th anniversary of his birth. Sales of the centennial commemoratives topped 1.38 million (1,144,461 for the proof and 241,669 for the uncirculated).
The Leavenworth Lamp with the heraldic crest of Fort Leavenworth is depicted on reverses along with the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, U.S. ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE and FORT LEAVENWORTH. Barbara Fox designed the reverse and Joseph Menna was in charge of sculpting it.
5-Star Generals Half-Dollar Commemorative Coins
No more than 750,000 of the half-dollar coins will be released by the United States Mint. The proof coins are struck in San Francisco and carry the ‘S’ mint mark with the uncirculated coins produced in Denver bearing the ‘D’ mint mark.
Obverses of the clad half-dollar showcase the portraits of Generals Henry "Hap" Arnold and Omar N. Bradley. Inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, HENRY "HAP" ARNOLD, OMAR N. BRADLEY and 2013. U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill designed and was in charge of execution for the obverse.
The heraldic crest of Fort Leavenworth is shown on the reverse. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and HALF DOLLAR. Hemphill is also responsible for the design and execution of the reverse.
Order Details, Sales Deadlines and Surcharges
2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins may be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint either online, right here, or by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). A shipping and handling charge of $4.95 applies per order.
The $5 gold coins and silver dollars are shipped in a U.S. Mint clamshell case. The half-dollar coins appear in a U.S. Mint box. All coins include a U.S. Mint certificate of authenticity.
As mandated in the 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 111-262), the commemorative coins may only be sold in calendar year 2013. In November, expect the U.S. Mint to publicly announce a sales deadline for the coins of around mid-December. This permits the bureau to follow Public Law 111-262 and still have time to fulfill and deliver coins by year’s end.
Surcharges are included in the price of each coin. These surcharges are set at $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver dollar and $5 per half-dollar coin. Amounts raised will go to the United States Army Command and General Staff College Foundation to help finance its activities in support of the college.
Second 2013 Commemorative Coin Program
These are the second and last group of commemorative coins for this year. In February, the U.S. Mint released commemorative Girl Scouts Silver Dollars that celebrate the centennial founding of Girl Scouts of the USA. Struck in proof and uncirculated qualities, the silver dollars are priced the same as the 5-Star Generals silver coins. Into pricing for them expires next Friday, March 29, after 5 p.m. (ET).
