Today at noon EDT, the United States Mint releases its latest product from their Armed Forces Silver Medal Program, the U.S. Coast Guard 1 Ounce Silver Medal for $65.
This 99.9% fine silver medal features designs emblematic of the Coast Guard. These same designs first appeared on a larger 2.5-ounce silver version which launched last year and sold out.
U.S. Coast Guard Medal Designs
The medal’s obverse (heads side) depicts a Coast Guard national security cutter at full throttle, speeding head-on toward the viewer. The hull number on the cutter indicates it is the Hamilton, named after Alexander Hamilton, who was instrumental in the creation of the service.
The design was created by Richard Masters and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso. Inscriptions read "U.S. COAST GUARD" and the Coast Guard motto "SEMPER PARATUS" (Always Ready).
Its reverse (tails side) shows two iconic symbols of the Coast Guard, a life preserver ring and the racing stripe mark. The mark is found on almost all Coast Guard craft.
Also featured is the Coast Guard emblem along with the inscriptions of "HONOR," "RESPECT," and "DEVOTION TO DUTY" — the Coast Guard’s core values. Artistic Infusion Program artist Thomas Hipschen created the design, with Medallic Artist Renata Gordon engraving it.
Medal Specifications
| Denomination: | N/A |
|---|---|
| Finish: | Matte |
| Composition: | 99.9% silver |
| Silver Weight: | 1.000 troy oz. |
| Diameter: | 1.598 in. / 40.60 mm |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | N/A |
| Privy Mark: | None |
| Design: | Obverse Designer: Richard Masters, Artistic Infusion Program Designer Obverse Sculptor: Michael Gaudioso, United States Mint Medallic Artist Reverse Designer: Thomas Hipschen, Artistic Infusion Program Designer Reverse Sculptor: Renata Gordon, United States Mint Medallic Artist |
| Struck Under Authority of: | 31 U.S.C. § 5111(a)(2) |
| Place Struck: | N/A |
Ordering
Coast Guard 1 Ounce Silver Medals are available directly from the U.S. Mint via their online store for silver medals.
No household order limits, or mintage limits have been established.
Armed Forces Silver Medal Program
The U.S. Mint’s Armed Forces Silver Medal Program debuted last year and has seen the following releases:
- Air Force 2.5 oz Medal released on July 13, 2021
- Coast Guard 2.5 oz Medal released on Aug. 17, 2021
- Navy 2.5 oz Medal released on March 11, 2022
- Marine 2.5 oz Medal released on July 15, 2022
- Air Force 1 oz Medal released on Aug. 16, 2022
The above 2.5-ounce silver medals sold out with maximum mintages of 10,000. The 2.5-ounce Army and Space Force Silver Medals are expected next year, as well as the remaining 1-ounce editions.
Companion Armed Forces Bronze Medals are also planned.
I am in. Could be my last purchase from the mint this year.
Not a bad choice at all, Rooster; that is a very fine looking coin. I’m waiting for the Army version since that is the Service my family has been associated with.
As far as my final buy of the year, that will be the 3 Roll Set of the Anna May Wong AWQ, that is, unless the Mint stiffs me out of it. So far my enrollment is TBD.
Those quarters can be fun. Dissolved myself from most of the quarters unless they are silver.
I totally understanding your reasoning, Rooster, and have myself toyed with that idea. If I had any thought in mind of aiming for profit rather than just the fun of collecting I too would tend to concentrate more on silver.
Did the same with the presidential dollars.
Rooster,
Perhaps having that “weakness” is what being a collector is all about.
That’s why there is such a variety. I just had to pare back on some of these.
Rooster,
I agree that it’s nice to have so many choices in spite of having to make slightly more difficult decisions regarding what to buy due to being presented with such an expansive coin buffet.
Got mine via enrollment Rooster. Nice looking medal design.
Same. Takes the fun out of the ordering process. Just kidding.
That “fun”, Rooster, was akin to enjoying a root canal minus the novocaine.
I would have taken that root canal without novocaine for a couple coins I missed.
If it’s any consolation, Rooster, as in the “misery loves company department”, I underwent the equivalent of a whole series of un-numbed extractions in vain for multiple coin-buying misfires.
NICEEEEEEE 😉
Although these aren’t Morgan’s, Peace or WWII Commemorative coins so wouldn’t have expected a mad dash at Noon to acquire this medal.
The will be my FIRST medal purchase … not for myself but for a guy I know who was in the Coast Guard. He’s been fighting cancer for awhile now and I think the beauty of this piece might lift his spirits a bit.
Good going REB. I’m sure your guy will greatly appreciate the medal and your thoughtfulness.
That is awesome. Great reason to grab this.
REB,
I can’t help but think the best reward for your selfless act will be the smile on his face when you give him the medal. My own thanks to you for the good feeling I got just knowing that this is happening.
I don’t think I’ve ever looked so forward to receiving something from the Mint. The gentleman is the husband of my wife’s close cousin. He is possibly one of the most decent human-beings I’ve ever encountered in my life’s travels. I’m sure the two-hour journey to deliver the medal to him will be filled with joy and anticipation. I look forward to the Coast Guard service stories that will follow. I’ve told him in the past that he should write a book. He’s sent me a couple of “chapters” that he had written about his service. Maybe he’ll surprise me… Read more »
Reb, I didn’t think it was possible this story could get any more heartwarming, but it just did. Thank you so very much for sharing it here.
REB —
You are to be admired and commended. It’s not how you act when the world is watching your every move. It’s what you do when only that infinitely critical person you see in the mirror every morning when you shave is watching.
— Mike
Amen.