On Thursday, Nov. 28, officials from the United States Mint hosted a ceremonial strike event for the 2018 World War I Centennial Silver Dollar commemorating the 100th anniversary of America’s involvement in the First World War.
A newly-minted World War I Centennial Silver Dollar. The coin will be released on Jan 17, 2018. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Guests at the ceremony included three sponsors of the legislation authorizing the commemorative coin, the dollar’s designer and sculptor, the chair of the WWI Centennial Commission, and the grandson of a famous World War I hero.
United States Mint sculptor-engraver Renata Gordon sings the National Anthem during the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar strike ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike. Gerald York, grandson of WWI hero SGT Alvin York, holds the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar he struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike. U.S. Mint Coin Press Operator Kenneth Holland hands Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado) the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar he struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia on Nov 28, 2017. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike. U.S. Mint Coin Press Operator Kenneth Holland stands with Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Missouri) holding the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar he struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) holds the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar he struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike. U.S. World War I Centennial Commission Chair Terry Hamby holds the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar he struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike. U.S. Mint Police Chief Dennis O’Connor holds the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar he struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike. Gerald York, grandson of WWI hero SGT Alvin York, holds a newly-minted 2018 World War I Centennial Silver Dollar. He is joined by (l to r) Daniel Basta, U.S. Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars, U.S. Mint Coin Press Operator Kenneth Holland, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Missouri), U.S. Mint Police Chief Dennis O’Connor, Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado), U.S. WWI Centennial Commission Chair Terry Hamby and Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri). The commemorative coin will be released on Jan 17, 2018. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
LeRoy Transfield created the silver dollar’s designs and recently retired United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart sculpted them for coins. They were selected by the Treasury Secretary based on winning designs from a juried competition.
Transfield’s obverse or heads side design, titled “Soldier’s Charge,” depicts an almost stone-like soldier gripping a rifle. Barbed wire twines appear in the lower right-hand side. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, 1918, 2018, and IN GOD WE TRUST. Poppies have been used since 1921 to commemorate soldiers who have died in war.
A World War I Centennial Silver Dollar die is displayed following the ceremonial striking at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia on Nov 28, 2017. U.S. Mint photo by Brian Martin. A newly-minted World War I Centennial Silver Dollar through a magnifying lens following the ceremonial striking at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia on Nov 28, 2017. U.S. Mint photo by Brian Martin.
The barbed wire design continues onto the coin’s reverse, which is titled "Poppies in the Wire." It shows abstract poppies mixed in with the wire. Inscriptions include ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
LeRoy Transfield, winning artist who designed the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar, holds a newly-minted coin following the ceremonial striking at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia on Nov 28, 2017. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike. A closer view from the above photo of the coin’s reverse
The U.S. Mint will begin selling a pair of WWI Centennial Silver Dollars on Jan. 17, 2018. Available qualities will include the collector finishes of proof and uncirculated. Their prices have yet to be announced.
Surcharges of $10 will be collected on each one sold 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.
The U.S. Mint in 2018 will also produce and sell companion WWI silver medals honoring the Army, Navy, Air Service, Marines, and Coast Guard.. (See these medal designs.) Each medal will be paired with a World War I Centennial Silver Dollar and offered as a special set.
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