2011 Medal of Honor Coins Recognize Military Valor

The Medal of Honor is the highest recognition a member of the United States Armed Forces can receive for acts of valor in combat. Dating back to 1861, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to some of the bravest souls the United States has ever seen, numbering beyond 3,500. While there are many military combatants who are certainly deserving of such recognition but have yet to be awarded the Medal of Honor, this revered and solemn tradition continues as one of many ways in which the United States recognizes those who have served in the United States military.

The Medal of Honor was itself recognized for its place in American military significance among a grouping of 2011 United States Mint commemorative coins that marked the 150th anniversary of this time-honored institution. The 2011 Medal of Honor Silver Dollar and $5 gold coins were released to commemorate the medal, which is awarded to its recipients by the president of the United States “in the name of the United States Congress.” It was Congress that had to approve the minting of this commemorative coin series. Approve they did, giving the commemorative coin legislation nods as Public Law 111-91, the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009. The law authorized the production of up to 100,000 of the $5 gold coins and 500,000 silver dollars “in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861.”

The coins were struck in proof and uncirculated formats, with the four coins proving better sellers as proofs – as per the usual situation with modern commemorative coins. While just 44,752 of the silver dollars and a mere 8,233 $5 gold coins were distributed in uncirculated format, 112,833 silver dollars and 17,999 of the $5 gold coins were sold in proof.

The uncirculated silver dollar had an introductory issue price of $49.95 and regular price of $54.95, while the proof version went for $54.95 and $59.95, respectively. Meanwhile, the gold $5 coin was originally offered for $439.95 with a regular issue price of $444.95, with proofs initially pitched at $449.95 and later taking a regular price of $454.95. Surcharges of $10 from the sale of each silver dollar and $35 from each $5 gold coin sold went to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to aid various educational, scholarship, and outreach programs. All four pieces are available today at prices nominally above their melt values. None of these coins is considered rare, and all can be included in a variety of PCGS Registry Sets.