Release: DECEMBER 31, 2021
As late-season football games and the Super Bowl come our way, we are reminded of those who serve in our military. Whether it’s the Air Force/Navy flyovers or pre-game honor guards, those in uniform cast a long, but positive, shadow. Especially striking are the medals and ribbons on their crisp uniforms....
For over a century, unless they were on the chests of elevated officers, such decorations weren’t attainable for regular foot soldiers. It wasn’t until the second World War that some became available to and were awarded to the regular “grunt.”
Perhaps the most notable and recognized of those is the Purple Heart. It’s certainly not an honor any military member wishes for but is one that reflects the level of sacrifice they put forth. Having one is evidence of having been injured/wounded in combat.
The history behind the award is particularly noteworthy. It began 240 years ago as the brainchild of our first US wartime luminary, General George Washington. Washington recognized that soldiers in his Continental Army – comprised primarily of raw recruits in the form of farmers and tradesmen – received little if any recognition for their hard-fought campaigns. On top of that, supplies and pay were scant. Washington knew an acknowledgement was needed.
In order to bolster morale and elevate esteem, Washington devised an award for valor that could be attached to uniforms for meritorious service for all to see. It consisted of a purple heart fashioned from cloth to be worn over the left breast. Washington himself presented the Badge of Military Merit to three sergeants in his army. Assuming any of those uniform patches survive to this day, the collector value of one would be astronomical.
That original award of merit would be forgotten for almost 150 years until World War I. In conflicts prior to that, the only indication that a soldier had been wounded was a bandage. During the first World War, during which over 200,000 American soldiers received battle wounds, small chevrons were attached to the sleeves – one for each wound received.
By the end of World War II, over one million Purple Hearts had been awarded. It’s still considered the highest honor given to soldiers without any review board having to approve its issuance. It’s also presented to the families of those killed in action.
Just under two million total Purple Hearts have been awarded as of 2021. In honor of those who have suffered to receive it, the US Mint is now issuing three coins commemorating the military award. In the queue are a clad half dollar; a silver dollar; and a five-dollar gold coin. The coins are available in uncirculated and proof condition.
On the five-dollar gold coin the design features the actual Purple Heart medal over the inscription, “A GRATEFUL NATION HONORS AND REMEMBERS.” A reproduction of Washington’s signature is on the reverse. The silver dollar also shows a colorized version of the medal.
The success of commemorative coins such as these vary depending on the subject matter. Some with topics of interest to a select few can languish and sell only a small portion of the mintage. Those with a universally popular subject matter can sell out in just moments of being put on sale. Conventional wisdom suggests these coins will fall under the latter.
Preliminary estimates are that the coins will be a sell-out based on mintage numbers. A total of only 50,000 gold, 400,000 silver and 500,000 clad coins will be struck and sold. Plus, orders are limited to just three per household. Given the large number of survivors wounded in battles over the years, demand is expected to be high. For more information or to order, log onto, www.USMint.gov.
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