Coin Type – American Legion – 100th Anniversary – 2019

In 1919, in Paris, France, the American Legion was formed. Its primary aim was to help the American soldiers returning to the United States after the war in Europe had been won. Because this type of conflict had been unprecedented – poison gas, torture, etc. – the government was worried about the re-acclimation of these soldiers into American society. For 100 years, the American Legion offered, friendship, common understanding and assistance to American soldiers, regardless of the  conflict.  

As the Centennial of the American Legion was coming up in 2019, the United States Congress enacted Public Law 115-6. This law provided for a three coin set of commemorative coins – a Clad Half Dollar, a Silver Dollar, and a Five Dollar Gold coin – would all be struck to honor the American Legion and the surcharge received from the sale of the coins would be donated to them to further their good work and aims. 

Phebe Hemphill designed the obverse of the Clad Half Dollar, and it was sculpted by Richard Masters. This coin depicts a boy and a younger girl reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The girl wears her grandfather’s American Legion cap. Both children have their hands over their hearts.  On the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY.” To the right is the date of striking – “2019.” Beneath the children are the phrases “IN GOD WE TRUST,“ and “I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG…”  

The reverse was designed by Joseph Menna and again sculpted by Richard Masters. The central vignette is an American flag on a flagpole, as viewed from the ground. Above the flag is the emblem of the American Legion. Just below the flag is the next line of the Pledge, “OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The upper periphery has “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” while the lower periphery has the denomination, “HALF DOLLAR.”

The Uncirculated Clad Half Dollar was struck at the Denver Mint and has a “D” mintmark. The Proof Clad Half Dollar was struck in San Francisco and has an “S” mintmark. 750,000 coins were authorized to be the maximum mintage, across all types.

Unlike many other recent 3-coin commemorative programs, each of the three American Legion coins featured a different design. The obverse of the American Legion Centennial Silver Dollar, designed by Paul Balan and sculpted by Renata Gordon, depicts the American Legion emblem which is a five-pointed star with the letters “U S” in the center of the emblem, adorned by an oak leaf and a lily.   The words “AMERICAN” and “LEGION” are prominent. On the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY,” with “IN GOD WE TRUST,” below it and the date “2019,” at the lower periphery. 

The reverse of this commemorative Silver Dollar was designed by Patricia Lucas-Morris and sculpted by the US Mint’s Michael Gaudioso. The symbolism displays the American flag with the flag of the American Legion, entwined. Above these two flags is a fleur-de-lis, representing France, where the American Legion was founded. The reverse is ornate and the phrase “100 YEARS OF SERVICE,” appears below the fleur-de-lis. The upper periphery has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” while the lower periphery has “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” On the left side is “1919,” and on the right is “2019,” with the denomination expressed as “$1” below it.  

Both the Uncirculated and Proof versions of the Silver Dollar were minted at the Philadelphia Mint so both bear a “P” mintmark on them. There was a surcharge of $10 on each coin sold that went to the American Legion. Congress had authorized a maximum mintage of 400,000 Silver Dollar coins.

With another ornate design, the Five Dollar Gold coin is very symbolic of Franco-American relations. The obverse was designed by Phebe Hemphill and sculpted by Chris Costello. The central vignette depicts the Eiffel Tower in Paris with a large “V” for Victory emblazoned across the coin.  

Near the top of the tower is “IN GOD WE TRUST,” while across the middle of the coin is the word “LIBERTY.” Below that are the dates “1919,” to the left and “2019,” to the right.  

The reverse of this coin was designed by Joe Menna and sculpted by Paul Balan. The reverse features an American Bald eagle soaring across the sky. The American Legion emblem also dominates the reverse.   The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” are on the upper left periphery. Below the American Legion emblem is the phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and the denomination, expressed as “$5,” is just above the eagle. Both the Uncirculated and Proof versions were struck at the West Point Minting facility so both bear a “W” mintmark on each coin.   

Congress had authorized a maximum mintage of up to 50,000 coins could be struck.

The Uncirculated Five Dollar Gold Coin sold only a paltry 3,090 examples, while the Proof Version sold 10,920 coins.

The 3 Proof Coins – Clad Half Dollar, Silver Dollar, and Five Dollar Gold – were all included in an American Legion 3-Coin Proof set.  

In addition, the Proof Silver Dollar coin was also included in a limited  American Legion Coin and Medal set .  All surcharges on all of these coins went to support the great works that the American Legion accomplishes for veterans.