Commemorative is the keyword for today as the United States Mint starts selling two collections of coins, including their 2021 National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum Commemorative Coins. Ordering opens early, today at noon (ET), compared to the availability of actual images of the coins and their beginning shipping date.
This commemorative program includes $5 gold coins, silver dollars and clad half-dollars in proof and uncirculated finishes as authorized under Public Law 116-94 (Division K). The six different coins are produced at four different U.S. Mint facilities — the West Point Mint, the Philadelphia Mint, the Denver Mint and the San Francisco Mint.
Each features designs "emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Museum and the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States" according to the authorizing law.
"These designs will be featured on coins that honor the extraordinary service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States," stated United States Mint Director David J. Ryder who oversees one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Mint Police.
"We hope this program will assist the Museum in its mission to bridge the past and the present and to increase public understanding and support for the law enforcement community."
Surcharges are collected on the sale of each coin with proceeds, after minting expenses, to be paid to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., for educational and outreach programs and exhibits. The organization was founded in 1984 to tell the story of American law enforcement. It built the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the nearby Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C.
In addition to the individual proof and uncirculated coins, a special three-coin proof set is also available as part of the release.
National Law Enforcement Commemorative Coin Designs and Specifications
Appearing on the obverse (heads side) of each $5 gold coin is a male and female officer in profile saluting. The design also includes the inscriptions of "LIBERTY," "2021," and "IN GOD WE TRUST." The image was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Frank Morris and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.
The $5 gold coin reverse (tails side) depicts a folded flag with three roses beneath symbolizing remembrance. Inscriptions read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "FIVE DOLLARS," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" with the design by AIP artist Ron Sanders and sculpted by Craig Campbell.
On the obverse of the proof and uncirculated silver dollars, we find another design completed by Frank Morris and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. It shows a police officer kneeling next to a child, who is reading a book and sitting on a basketball. The design is meant to symbolize service to the community and future generations. Inscriptions read "SERVE & PROTECT," "LIBERTY," "2021," and "IN GOD WE TRUST."
The reverse of the silver dollar depicts a handshake between a law enforcement officer and a member of the public representing the work and relationships of the law enforcement community. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "ONE DOLLAR." This image was designed by AIP artist Ron Sanders and sculpted by medallic artist John P. McGraw.
Sanders and McGraw are also responsible for the obverse of the half-dollar, which depicts a a sheriff’s star, representing the community served by law enforcement officers and the important role they play. Inscriptions read "SERVE AND PROTECT," "LIBERTY," "2021," and "IN GOD WE TRUST."
Each half-dollar reverse offers an eye in a magnifying glass looking at a fingerprint, representing the many people behind the scenes of law enforcement. It also features the emblem of the National Law Enforcement Museum. Inscriptions included are "UNITED STATES of AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "HALF DOLLAR," and "NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM." The reverse was designed by AIP artist Heidi Wastweet and sculpted by medallic artist Renata Gordon.
Commemorative Coin Specifications
| $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) |
As shown, no more than 50,000 $5 gold, 400,000 silver dollars and 750,00 clad half-dollars will be produced. In addition, the three-coin proof set has its own product limit of 7,500.
Prices, Ordering and Shipping Date
Initial pricing for the $5 gold coins is $681.25 for the proof and $671.25 for the uncirculated. The proof silver dollar is available for $74 with the uncirculated version offered for $69. As for the clad half-dollars, the proof is $35 with the uncirculated sold for $33. The three-coin proof set is $746.75.
Prices include surcharges of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver dollar and $5 per half-dollar.
Pricing for the gold products is subject to change as they are priced weekly based on the U.S. Mint’s precious metal coin pricing matrix. They also have an initial household order limit of 1 each.
2021 National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum Commemorative Coins are available for order from the U.S. Mint’s online store of commemoratives.
Due to the pandemic, U.S. Mint customer service representatives are available to assist with questions, but are unable to accept credit card information or place orders over the phone.
The coins and set are not expected to begin shipping until May 5, 2021.
Companion 2021 Commemorative Coin Program
These products are from one of two 2021 U.S. Mint commemorative coin programs. The other program, which also debuts today, honors Christa McAuliffe.
