Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Pedro Rodriguez | President and Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Mr....... read more read more
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Philadelphia (Dec. 4, 2024) -- The United States Mint in collaboration with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (MCHF) celebrated the ceremonial striking of three commemorative coins to be produced in 2025 to honor the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, December 4.
Amongst the distinguished guests were Deputy Director of the U.S. Mint Kristie McNally, Superintendent of the U.S. Mint of Philadelphia Rob Kurzyna, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Christopher Mahoney, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Mr. James Lukeman, Maj. Gen. (Ret.).
The 250th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law No: 118-10), which was signed into law on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 directs the Department of the Treasury, and thereby the U.S. Mint, to produce and sell up to 50,000 gold $5 coins, 400,000 silver dollars, and 750,000 clad half dollars to commemorate the Corps’ 250th.
The coins will be available for purchase starting Jan 2nd, 2025 and will depict the rich history and enduring legacy of the Marine Corps, serving as a tribute to the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of Marines both past and present. The set will include a gold coin, a silver coin and a clad coin, which are crafted to represent different aspects of the Corps’ heritage.
“These coins will be available for all Americans to purchase if they want to have a keepsake that’ll remind them what the 250 years of the Marine Corps was all about,” said Lukeman. Two hundred and fifty years of fighting for America's future, that's what Marines do, we continue to do that, we will continue to secure America’s future for the next 250 years.”
During the ceremony, Gen. Mahoney addressed the audience and thanked everyone involved for their part, making the coins a reality and expressed his excitement for the 250th Marine Corps’ birthday year-long celebration.
“This is an honor and I am humbled, this truly is a kick off of the commemoration of 250 years of service, this the beginning of a year’s worth of celebration,” said Mahoney. “Two hundred and fifty years is a long time and the Marine Corps have a lot of accomplishments to be proud of. We make Marines, we take the best this country has to offer and transform them into disciplined lethal warriors, we win the fights that we are thrown into, we win battles, it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of how.”
The U.S. Mint staff said to be proud to be a part of the event and for their contributions in the coin-making process, from the staff meetings to the design and to the production of the coins.
“We love doing first strikes for commemorative coins, it allows us to get the word out that these programs are coming out.” said McNaly, a Marine Corps spouse herself. “We love being with the Marines Corps, 37% of our employees are military and former military, it is an honor to represent the Mint and the Marine Corps. Everyone is excited, they tried to get down to see the ceremony to see it and get away from their work so that they could be a part of this. Every Marine is very proud to be a part of the Marine Corps, so they are very happy to be here.”
Only one other time the U.S. Mint has produced a coin to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday, which was in 2005 for the 230th birthday commemoration. On that occasion the U.S. Mint produced a 2.5-ounce silver medal issued as a part of the Mint’s Armed Forces Silver Medals Program.
“As a young Marine, you recognize that you’re a part of an organization that’s been around for 250 years, when any Marine joins the Marine Corps and goes to bootcamp, you recognize that you joined an organization that is bigger than you. This is part of our culture, part of our tradition and part of our legacy,” said Lukeman. “As Marines, understand that those who went before, like Dan Daly and Chesty Puller in the battles of Iwo Jima, Belleau Wood and Chosin, those things build what Marine is today and we hope that these coins remind Americans of that.”
For 250 years, the United States Marine Corps has served honorably in every clime and place. Founded on November 10, 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Marines have fought from the shores of Tripoli to the valleys of Afghanistan – always the most ready when the nation was least ready. Coming from all walks of life, Marines stay true to the uncompromising standards found in their core values of honor, courage, and commitment.
| Date Taken: | 12.04.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2024 14:17 |
| Story ID: | 486769 |
| Location: | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,159 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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