Acknowledging the important contributions of women in the armed forces of the United States, the US Mint issued the 1994 Women In Military Service Memorial Commemorative Silver Dollar.
The Women in Military Service for America Memorial is a 4.2 acre ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. It is the only major national memorial honoring all women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the United States military.
Groundbreaking for the memorial was held on June 22, 1995 with the design completed by Marion Gail Weiss and Michael Manfredi of Weiss/Manfredi Architects, winners of a national competition for the project. The memorial cost $22 million to build which was raised through federal grants, donations and surcharges placed on the sale of the Women in Military Service Commemorative Silver Dollars.
Silver Dollar Information
The 1994 Women in Military Service Memorial Commemorative Silver Dollars were authorized by Public Law 103-186. Specifically, Title II of that law which also authorized a Prisoner of War Commemorative Coin and a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commemorative Coin.
On the obverse of this strike, a profile of five women is shown representing those who served in the five branches of the US Military. Surrounding the women are the inscriptions of those branches – ARMY, MARINES, NAVY, AIR FORCE and COAST GUARD as well as LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 1994. It was designed by T. James Ferrell.
The reverse shows the proposed design of the Women in Military Service Memorial along with the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE MEMORIAL and the mintmark. The reverse was completed by Thomas D. Rogers.
Proof Women in Military Service Memorial Silver Dollars were struck at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia. The uncirculated silver dollars were struck at the US Mint’s facility in West Point.
Surcharges raised by the sale of these strikes was to be paid to the Secretary to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc., for the "purpose of creating, endowing, and dedicating the Women in Military Service for America Memorial."
1994 Women in Military Service Memorial Silver Dollar Coin Specifications
Face Value: | $1 |
Composition: | 90% silver, 10% copper |
Total Estimated Mintage: | 241,278 Proof, 69,860 Uncirculated |
Diameter: | 1.5 inches |
Weight | 26.73 grams |
Edge: | Reeded |
Minting Facility: | West Point (W), Philadelphia (P) |
Obverse Design: | Profile of Five Servicewomen |
Obverse Designer: | T. James Ferrell |
Reverse Design: | Proposed Design of the Women in Military Service Memorial |
Reverse Designer: | Thomas D. Rogers |