Final Day for Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Introductory Pricing

Pricing for 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar products will be raised after 5:00 PM ET on Monday, March 19, 2012 after having been on sale since February 16, 2012. The two commemorative coins offered by the United States Mint in proof and uncirculated qualities will see price increases of $5 each. The proof silver dollar will go from $49.95 to $54.95 while the uncirculated silver dollar will rise from $44.95 to $49.95.

A companion Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Defenders of Freedom Set which contains one the proof coins and a replica U.S. Army dog tag will remain at $51.95, although its production limit of 50,000 is already nearing a sellout.

Sales of the silver dollars and set have been vigorous, leading all other U.S. Mint numismatic products for three straight weeks and until the latest commemorates celebrating the bicentennial writing of the Star-Spangles Banner were released on March 5, 2012.

Still, the U.S. Mint is authorized to produce a total of 350,000 Infantry dollars across all product offerings, so many yet remain. As of March 12, sales of the individual proof reached 75,454, the Defenders of Freedom Set made it to 40,420, and the uncirculated silver dollar totaled 33,188. Combined, silver dollar sales are at 149,062, or at 42.6% of maximum.

Authorized by Public Law 110-357, the commemorative coins are issued to honor the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. The silver dollars achieve this by sporting designs emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the United States Infantry.

The obverse design, created by Joel Iskowitz, features a modern Infantry soldier on rocky ground charging forward and beckoning troops to follow. The scene symbolizes the Infantry motto of "Follow Me." Inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2012. The reverse design, by Ronald D. Sanders, has an image of the crossed rifles insignia, which is the branch insignia of the United States Infantry. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Each silver dollar sold by the U.S. Mint includes a required $10 surcharge which must get paid to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Nearly $1.5 million had been collected for the purpose as of March 12.

Additional information and ordering options are available at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).