The Silver Dollar That Honors Those Who Fight for Us
Congress continued to honor the United States Army with another coin: the 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar. This silver dollar coin specifically honored the US Army infantrymen, who have been so instrumental in every battle the Army has fought. Congress authorized a new commemorative silver dollar with a maximum mintage of 350,000 coins. Surcharges from coin sales are directed to the National Infantry Foundation to help endow and support the maintenance and programs of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, which opened in 2009. The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center is located in Columbus, Georgia, right outside Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), the home of the Infantry.
The Birth of the Infantry
U.S. Army infantry Soldiers serve as ground-combat troops. Their mission is to seize and secure terrain, deter enemy forces, conduct reconnaissance, and support the movement of troops and equipment. Becoming an infantry Soldier requires 22 weeks of One Station Unit Training (OSUT), which combines Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training.
On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of expert riflemen as light infantry, and the next day it appointed George Washington commander of the newly formed Continental Army. 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is the Army’s oldest active-duty infantry unit, serving the United States since 1784. The Old Guard serves as the Army’s official ceremonial unit and escort to the President. It also secures Washington, D.C., during national emergencies or civil disturbances.
Design Details
The chosen designs were announced at a football game at Fort Benning’s Doughboy Stadium between the Fort Benning Doughboys and the Columbus State University Cougars. A prototype of the coin was used for the coin toss at the football game. The obverse of the coin was designed by Joel Iskowitz. The central design depicts a 20th-century infantry soldier leading a charge and encouraging others to follow. His actions represent the “Follow Me’ motto of the US Army’s Infantry. As the soldier runs to the left, in the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY,” and behind him are the words “IN GOD WE TRUST.” In front of him, to the bottom left, is the date of issue “2012.”
The reverse, which was designed by Ronald Sanders and sculpted by Norman E. Nemeth, displays two crossed rifles, which are the branch insignia of the Infantry, with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” above the rifles and the denomination, ONE DOLLAR” below the rifles. In the lower periphery is the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
The uncirculated and proof coins were struck at the West Point Minting facility, due to West Point’s long association with the United States Army. A little over 200,000 coins were sold out of the 350,000 coins authorized. For more army-themed commemorative coins, view our collection of U.S. silver modern commemorative coins today.
(A 2012-W Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse [right], Reverse [left].)
(A 2012-W Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar, Proof, Obverse [right], Reverse [left].)
