ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS WWI COMMEMORATIVE DESIGN CONTEST

A few months ago I was surprised to learn that there are no World War I memorials that meet the strict interpretation of what a "national" monument is or should be.

I am now equally surprised to learn that "while the other great conflicts, including the Civil War, World War II [below], the Korean War, and the Vietnam War have all been memorialized on United States commemorative coins, there currently exists no coin to honor the brave veterans of World War I."

In May 2015, as part of promoting a "suitable observance" of the centennial of World War I -- a war in which more than four million Americans served and a war in which the United States suffered 375,000 casualties, including 116,516 deaths -- the World War One Centennial Commission, established by the U.S. Congress, opened an international design competition for a National World War I Memorial, to be built in our nation's capital.

Now, as part of the same commemoration of the centennial of our country's involvement in World War I, the Secretary of the Treasury has been authorized by Congress to issue a coin in 2018 to commemorate the centennial and to "honor the over 4 million men and women from the United States who served during World War I."

A coin that, in the words of Rhett Jeppson, the United States Mint's Principal Deputy Director, "will serve as a tribute to the bravery, actions and sacrifices of Americans...a coin that will also serve as a tangible means to help future generations understand and appreciate the impact of what was called 'the war to end all wars.'"

While the price has not yet been set for the 2018 commemorative coin, the 2015 prices for silver dollar commemorative coins were $51.95 for proof quality and $48.95 for uncirculated quality.

Part of the price of the coin includes a surcharge* that will go to the United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars and will assist the World War I Centennial Commission in building the National World War I Memorial mentioned above.

My only wish is that I was sufficiently artistically talented to come up with a design suitable for this prestigious competition. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In modern history, the U.S. Mint has called upon the American public only a handful of times to submit designs for a coin.

I am certain that among our readers -- or acquaintances of our readers -- there is someone who has the talent to participate in this unique competition.

Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, the United States Mint has raised more than $506,000,000 in surcharges to help build new museums, maintain national monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, preserve historical sites like George Washington's home, support various Olympic programs, support programs such as the Boy and Girl Scouts and many more. (The U.S. Mint)

To read the complete article, see:
Now a World War I Commemorative Coin (www.huffingtonpost.com/dorian-de-wind/now-a-world-war-i-commemo_b_9301874.html)

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