Today, Dec. 14, the United States Mint has started selling the U.S. Marine Corps Bronze Medal, its final product of 2023.
Honoring the Marine Corps and its importance in the nation’s history, this medal is the bronze version of the earlier released U.S. Marine Corps Silver Medals. It is part of the Armed Forces series that celebrates all six branches of the military: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.
The U.S. Mint’s silver medal program comprises both a 2.5-ounce and a 1-ounce silver medal for each branch, followed by companion bronze medals. All three types of medals share the same designs. Previously released medals include:
- Air Force 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal – released July 13, 2021
- Coast Guard 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal – released August 17, 2021
- Navy 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal – released March 11, 2022
- Marine Corps 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal – released July 15, 2022
- Air Force 1 Ounce Silver Medal – released August 16, 2022
- Coast Guard 1 Ounce Silver Medal – released September 26, 2022
- Air Force Bronze Medal – released November 29, 2022
- Army 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal– released March 6, 2023
- Coast Guard Bronze Medal – released May 11, 2023
- Navy 1 Ounce Silver Medal – released July 17, 2023
- Navy Bronze Medal – released August 8, 2023
- Marine Corps 1 Ounce Silver Medal – released September 11, 2023
According to the U.S. Mint, the Army 1 Ounce Silver Medal will be released in the Spring of 2024. No dates have been announced yet for the Army Bronze Medal, nor have any dates been indicated for any of the U.S. Space Force medals.
U.S. Marine Corps Bronze Medal Designs
The obverse (heads side) of the medal features three Marines with M4 rifles moving ashore just after an amphibious landing. One Marine lies hidden in the grass, providing cover for the other two as they approach the crest of a hill. A U.S. warship is visible on the horizon.
Emily Damstra created the design, which was sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The obverse inscriptions read "U.S. MARINE CORPS" and "EVERY MARINE A RIFLEMAN."
Designed by Laurie J. Musser and sculpted by Joseph Menna, the reverse (tails side) of the medal depicts the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem encircled by a rope border. It is inscribed with the core values of the Marines — "HONOR," "COURAGE," and "COMMITMENT," as well as the Marine Corps motto "SEMPER FIDELIS" ("always faithful").
Specifications for the medal, as provided by the U.S. Mint, are as follows:
| Finish: | Matte |
|---|---|
| Composition: | 95% copper, 5% zinc |
| Diameter: | 1.500 in. |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | N/A |
| Privy Mark: | None |
| Design: | Obverse Designer: Emily Damstra Obverse Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill Reverse Designer: Laurie J. Musser Reverse Sculptor: Joseph Menna |
| Struck Under Authority of: | 31 U.S.C. § 5111(a)(2) |
Ordering
Priced at $20, the Marine Corps Bronze Medal may be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint via their online store for military medals, along with other Armed Forces Medals.
No mintage, product or household order limits are in place.
