This article presents photos of a World War I Centennial 2018 Marine Corp Silver Medal. The medal is one of five from the United States Mint that commemorates the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces that were active during the First World War.
The United States Mint on Jan. 17 started selling proof silver medals honoring the U.S. Marines Corps, the Army, the Navy, the Air Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
They are minted to support the commemorative World War I Centennial Silver Dollars which Congress authorized under Public Law 113-212 to memorialize America’s involvement in WWI.
Struck in collector finishes of proof and uncirculated, the U.S. Mint will offer both dollars at respective prices of $56.95 and $53.95 until the end of this year.
The medals are not sold individually or together, but instead each is paired with a proof WWI Silver Dollar and offered as a distinct set for $99.95. Those wanting all five medals have to buy all five sets. (The sets originally had an ordering deadline of Feb. 20 but their sales reopened July 31.)
The set with the Army silver medal has the biggest sales so far at 15,586; followed by close groupings of the sets with the Marine Corps medal at 12,619; the Air Service medal at 12,495; and the Navy medal at 12,214. The set with Coast Guard medal has sales of 9,568.
Marine Corps medal obverses show the aftermath of the Battle of Belleau Wood, with one Marine standing 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.
Obverse
Sculpted by Joseph Menna, reverses feature the World War I-era version of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem with the inscriptions of CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I, 2018, OVER THERE!, and BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOOD. Produced at the San Francisco Mint, the reverse also has a "S" mint mark.
All five medals and both silver dollars share major specifications, including a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper, a weight of 26.730 grams, and a diameter of 1.500 inches. Their edges are different, however, with those of the dollars reeded and edges of the medals flat and plain.
Get the World War I Centennial Silver Dollars and sets from the U.S. Mint’s online store for commemorative products, found here.
Surcharges of $10 are collected on the sale of each dollar 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.
Below are a few more photos of World War I Centennial 2018 Marine Corps Silver Medals.
