U.S. Mint Opens Armed Forces 1-Ounce Silver Medal Enrollment

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CoinNews photo U.S. Air Force Silver Medal - obverse
This CoinNews photo shows a U.S. Air Force 2.5-Ounce Silver Medal (obverse side). A 1-ounce silver edition is set to launch Aug. 16. U.S. Mint customers can now enroll to automatically buy it and other upcoming Armed Forces 1-Ounce Silver Medals.

United States Mint customers can now subscribe to automatically purchase U.S. Armed Forces 1 Ounce Silver Medals.

U.S. Mint product enrollments works a lot like a magazine subscription. When you sign up to receive a family of products, they ship automatically to you when they become available.

Introduced in 2021, the Mint’s program of Armed Forces Medals honors the six branches of the U.S. military: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.

Larger Armed Forces 2.5-Ounce Silver Medals Released Already

Three larger-format, 2.5-ounce silver medals have already been issued in the series. They include medals honoring the Air Force (July 13, 2021), Coast Guard (Aug. 17, 2021), and Navy (March 11, 2022). Each is no-longer available, having sold out at $160 apiece with sales caps at 10,000.

A Marine 2.5-ounce medal is set for release July 15 while Army and Space Force 2.5-ounce medals are expected to launch in 2023.

An enrollment option is and was not available for any of these larger medals.

Release Dates and Price of Armed Forces 1-Ounce Silver Medals

For the smaller 1-ounce medals and for which enrollment is now open, the U.S. Mint so far has the first two of six scheduled for release. The Air Force 1-ounce medal is due out on Aug. 16 while the Coast Guard 1-ounce medal is set for release this "summer."

The Mint’s enrollment page, found here, shows pricing of $65 and each without mintage, product, or household order limits.

Enrollment information indicates two will be issued each year, following the biannual release schedule of their larger 2.5-ounce medals.

Both sizes of medals are struck in 99.9% fine silver. One-ounce medals will have a diameter of 1.598 inches compared to 2 inches for the 2.5-ounce medals. Designs are shared across the sizes

The U.S. Mint also has plans to release companion Armed Forces Bronze Medals.

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Antonio

Up and away into the wild, blue, yonder. I’ll get one for my brother who was in the air force. He’ll probably put away somewhere where it’ll gather dust.

Chris Terp

Some medals are definitely worth it especially if they commemorate a significant event. Moon landings, Discovery of Americas, end of wars, etc. Others like the Mint’s military silver medals are good for folks serving or have served. I picked up the Navy 2.5 oz silver medal as that was branch I served in and put myself on the list for two of the Air Force 1 oz silver medals. Giving them to friends who served in that branch. Believe the Mint hurt sales of medals when exorbitantly raised prices couple years back. I used to buy them as Christmas or… Read more »

Chris Terp

Mint wanted to be priced comparatively to other mints around the world who were charging more for their medals Kaiser.

In other words, bogus. Just wanted to jack up prices 🙁

Chris Terp

EXZZZZZACTLY! It was a ridiculous price increase. How come politicians on Capitol Hill didn’t scream price gouging? 😉

Daniel

I’ve always thought medals were stupid, as they were the same as a novelty token you’d buy at a tourist trap gift shop.

then the bloody mint released the 2019 Liberty high relief medal https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-liberty-2019-high-relief-silver-medal-19DB.html?cgid=null&q=Liberty%2520medal&navid=search#q=Liberty%2520medal&start=1

so I got that, then I picked up the armed forces 2.5” medals … and I’ve just enrolled for this damn thing.
arghh … I’m certain they don’t have long term value … but I’m a bloody addict

Chris Terp

That’s the crux here Daniel & Kaiser, are you collecting or looking for investment return?

The only medals I secure are ones I have an interest in or think a good gift for someone I know that fits their interest.

Then again, I haven’t been purchasing bronze medals since Mint raised prices. The bronze medals were a good value now just unreasonable at current prices. Now only getting the silver medals: Mayflower, end of WWII, Navy 2.5 oz.

Oh, and that medal you reference Daniel was previously $99 before Mint raised prices on medals.

Last edited 9 months ago by Chris Terp
Rich

Chris, right about the US Mint’s 2019 American Liberty High Relief Silver Medal released on Aug. 15, 2019. The medal was originally priced at $99.95. It was the first 2.5 ounce Medal produced by the Mint. It is currently listed as not available on the Mint’s online catalogue in “Remind Me” status for a list price $175. Three years ago it was a decent value at $40 per ounce of silver (plus it was High Relief). In 3 years the Mint pricing has increased by $75 for a 2.5 ounce silver medal.

Chris Terp

Yes Rich. As stated above answering Kaiser, I missed out on acquiring the 2019 2.5 oz silver medal as was away and forgot to procure before my travel. Yep, I’m bummed about it.

Chris Terp

Kaiser, All medals, bronze and silver, had price increases on same day for both metals. There was a press release by Mint and multiple emails to registered buyers of Mint products (or maybe to just past medal buyers?). Bronze medals had the greatest increase percentage wise, silver medals went up by small increments to almost double for the 2019 2.5 oz silver medal Daniel highlighted. I grabbed several bronze ones couple weeks before the increase but wish I bought that 2019 2.5 oz silver one too. Was going to get it later but then went on travel and forgot; when… Read more »

Rooster

Chris: I did snag one at $99. Beautiful medal.

Chris Terp

Good going Rooster 🙂

Guess I’m just too cheap to purchase it at $175.

Rooster

At $175 I held back from buying another. I wouldn’t say cheap but logical.

Rooster

Kaiser: I have collected medals along with coins. I am very pleased with most of them. I will tend to only get the ones that spark my interest. I lean towards the silver but do occasionally order bronze. I did order these through the enrollment program.