Learn About the 1994 Prisoner of War Museum Silver Dollar

The U. S. Prisoner of War Museum Silver Dollar was one of three similar coins that were authorized by the US Mint and struck and sold in 1994. The other two were the 1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Silver Dollar and the Women in Military Service Memorial Silver Dollar. The U. S. Prisoner of War Museum was being sold to raise funds for the Prisoner of War Museum that was being built in Andersonville, Georgia.

The obverse of this Silver Dollar depicts an American Bald Eagle in flight to the left. There is a broken chain on the eagle’s right talon and barbed wire encircles the obverse outer periphery. The eagle is in full flight (towards freedom) and between her outstretched wings is the word “LIBERTY” and to the right of the eagle is the word “FREEDOM.”  Below the eagle is the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” as well as the date “1994” on the lower periphery. This symbolic obverse was designed by Thomas Nielson.

The reverse of this Silver Dollar depicts a view of the proposed Prisoner of War Museum. The Museum dominates the reverse with “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR” on the upper periphery. Below the museum is “NATIONAL PRISONER OF WAR MUSEUM” on three lines. This was based on a rendering of Edgar Z. Steever of the proposed museum.

The 1994-W US Prisoner of War Museum Silver Dollars were struck in Uncirculated condition at the West Point Minting facility and in Proof condition at the Philadelphia Mint. The coins were offered individually, as a set of the Uncirculated and Proof versions and as a set of three coins in combination with the Vietnam War Memorial Silver Dollar and the Women in Military Service Memorial Silver Dollars.

Expand your collection today and shop for a 1994-P Prisoner of War $1 Silver Commemorative Proof.