The 1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commemorative Silver Dollars were struck by the United States Mint to be emblematic of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located in Washington, D.C.
Construction on the memorial began on March 26, 1982, less than three years after the idea of a memorial came to a former infantrymen who served in Vietnam. Thousands of potential designs were considered, but finally the very non-traditional Memorial Wall (as designed by Maya Lin) was chosen.
The Wall consists of 58,175 names inscribed on two 246 feet 9 inches long sections. These sections meet at a 125 degree angle. At that intersection the height of the wall reaches 10.1 feet high with the walls tapering to only eight inches at their extremities. Those looking at the inscribed names are able to see their reflection on the surface of the gabbro rock.
In addition to the Wall, two more memorials are a part of the larger memorial complex. This includes the Three Soldiers bronze statue and the Women’s Memorial.
Silver Dollar Information
Title II of Public Law 103-186, known as the United States Veterans Commemorative Coin Act of 1993, authorized the US Mint to strike the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Silver Dollars.
On the obverse, designed John Mercanti shows an outstretched handing touching the Memorial Wall of the memorial. Included as well are the inscriptions of LIBERTY, 1994, IN GOD WE TRUST and VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL. Shown off in the distance is the Washington Monument.
The reverse shows versions of three medals that were awarded during the Vietnam War and was designed by Thomas D. Rogers. Along with those medals, the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE DOLLAR and the mintmark are shown as well.
Uncirculated Vietnam Veterans Memorial Silver Dollars were struck at the US Mint’s facility in West Point. The proof version was struck at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia.
Funds raised by a surcharge on the strikes was to be paid to the "Secretary to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to assist the Fund’s efforts to raise an endowment to be a permanent source of support for the repair, maintenance, and addition of names to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial" according to the authorizing legislation.
1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Silver Dollar Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $1 |
| Composition: | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Total Estimated Mintage: | 227,671 Proof, 57,290 Uncirculated |
| Diameter: | 1.5 inches |
| Weight | 26.73 grams |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Minting Facility: | West Point (W), Philadelphia (P) |
| Obverse Design: | Image of Hand Touching the Memorial Wall |
| Obverse Designer: | John Mercanti |
| Reverse Design: | Image of Three Military Medals |
| Reverse Designer: | Thomas D. Rogers |
The commemorative 
The commemorative 
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