Designs unveiled for Star-Spangled Banner Coin
Designs of the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner commemorative coins were introduced to the public at a Dec. 14 ceremony in Baltimore. A silver dollar and a $5 gold piece will mark the writing of the National Anthem after author Francis Scott Key saw the 1814 naval bombardment by the British at Fort McHenry, which defended Baltimore during the War of 1812.
Designs of the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner commemorative coins were introduced to the public at a Dec. 14 ceremony in Baltimore.
A silver dollar and a $5 gold piece will mark the writing of the National Anthem after author Francis Scott Key saw the 1814 naval bombardment by the British at Fort McHenry, which defended Baltimore during the War of 1812.
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said, “The designs for the Star-Spangled Banner commemorative coins unveiled today honor Maryland’s pivotal role in winning ‘The Second War of Independence’ – the War of 1812 – with the Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry and inspiring the ‘Star-Spangled Banner.’”
Mint Deputy Director Richard A. Peterson said, “From the perilous naval engagement in the harbor with the Stars and Stripes waving above Fort McHenry, to the opening line of our National Anthem dramatically depicted in Francis Scott Key’s handwriting, these gold and silver coins capture iconic symbols of the Battle of Baltimore, a critical conflict in the war to preserve our liberty.”
Mintage of the commemorative silver dollar will be limited to 500,000. The gold $5 mintage can be no more than 100,000 pieces. Surcharges of $10 and $35, respectively, will be assessed to raise money for the commission.
The silver dollar obverse shows Lady Liberty waving a 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner flag, with Fort McHenry in the background, the Mint description said. It is designed by Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
The reverse shows a current flag. It was designed by AIP Associate Designer William C. Burgard III and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
A naval battle scene is on the obverse of the gold $5. It was designed by AIP Master Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
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On the $5 reverse are the first words to the National Anthem as designed by AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by Menna.
Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo will enter into a special collaboration with the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission at the Whitman Baltimore Expo in March, said Whitman General Manager David Crenshaw. The organization will have a table there and the two organizations will work together to foster awareness of the Star-Spangled Banner coins and events of the War of 1812 that took place in and near Baltimore.
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