Coins - 2005 American Legacy Collection Proof Coins Set

The US Mint introduced the first American Legacy Collection Proof Coins Set in 2005. The new proof coins set included a striking black case with an artist's drawing of Lady Liberty shown in silver on the front. 

The coins set measures 9 3/8 inches by 10 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. The front title states, "2005 United States Mint American Legacy Collection" in silver. The spine of the outer package also includes the title.

The new package's outer sleeve slips off to show the same design on the front of the interior display case. 

The interior case includes an easel back to allow the proof coins set to stand upright.

The back of the easel shows the contents of the proof coins set in silver print:

2005 United States Mint American Legacy Collection
Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar
Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar
Sacagawea Golden Dollar
Kennedy Half Dollar
50 State Quarters®
Roosevelt Dime
Westward Journey Nickel Series™
Lincoln Cent

In silver, the United States Mint seal and emblem complete the list.

An envelope enclosure attached inside the back frame holds the Certificate of Authenticity.

The package front unfolds to display the proof coins set. The coins are held in a semi-rigid plastic coated with black flocking. An indentation to the side of each of the coins' protective plastic holders allows the coins to be removed in order to view their opposite side. 

On the left, in burgundy print on a red background, the Supreme Court notables honoring Chief Justice John Marshall show:

Marbury v. Madison
States' Rights
McCulloch v. Maryland
"We must never forget that it is a constitution we are expounding."
Judicial Review
Gibbons v. Ogden
Burr v. United States

Next, in black print on the red background, the text in the coins set highlights Chief Justice Marshall's tenure:

2005 Chief Justice John Marshall Silver Dollar

On February 4, 1801, John Marshall was sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States. He was the fourth man to serve in that capacity after the Court was created in 1789, and he served 34 years as Chief Justice.

In 1803, only two years after Marshall became Chief Justice, the Court announced its opinion in Marbury v. Madison, asserting that the judicial branch has the authority to judge the validity of an Act of Congress and to overturn the Act if it is not in conformity with the United States Constitution. This doctrine of judicial review has become a cardinal principle of U.S. constitutional law. Marshall also authored many landmark opinions establishing the supremacy of national law and the authority of the Constitution.

Public Law 108-290, signed August 6, 2004, authorizes the minting of a Silver Dollar to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Chief Justice John Marshall.

On the right flap of the coins set, in burgundy print on red, several geographical areas where Marines played a vital role are noted:

Tarawa
Kabul
Marshall Islands
Iwo Jima
Trenton
Inchon
Guam
Fallujah
Argonne Forest
Verdun
Corregidor
Belleau Wood
Tet
Dien Bien Phu
Guadalcanal 
Grenada
Derna
Tripoli
Manila
Peking
Baghdad
Seoul
Pelelieu

Below in black print, the coins set text honors the Marines:

2005 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar

According to the United States Marine Corps Hymn, Marines have "fought in every clime and place" throughout our Nation's history. The triumphant history of the American military, beginning with the American Revolution, is found throughout the story of the United States Marine Corps. The flag raising on Iwo Jima, represented at the Marine Corps War Memorial, is ingrained in the public mind as one of the most enduring images of World War II.

Today, the Marines continue to exemplify the warrior ethos that has made it a fighting force of international repute. The philosophy of the Corps - and of the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have earned the title "Marine" over the last 230 years - is simply stated in its core values: Honor, Courage, Commitment.

Public Law 108-291, signed August 6, 2004, authorizes the minting of a Silver Dollar to commemorate the 230the Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.

Note the proud bearing captured in the portrait on the Silver Dollar coin commemorating Chief Justice John Marshall, a man who respected our Constitution during his tenure on the Supreme Court. 

The commemorative coin's reverse provides a view of the Old Supreme Court Chamber located in the U.S. Capitol building. 

On the Marine Corps Silver Dollar coin, the artistry captures the struggle and triumph in the iconic raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. 

The coin's reverse reveres the Marine Corps Emblem. From the Marines' history, "The globe on the U.S. Marine emblem signifies continuing historical service in any part of the world. The eagle represents the nation of the United States. The anchor, whose origin dates back to the founding of the Marine Corps in 1775, acknowledges the naval tradition of the United States Marines and their continual service under the command of the Department of the Navy."  

The 2005 standard proof coins set contained two nickels in addition to the penny, dime, half dollar and golden dollar. The two nickels are part of the Westward Journey series honoring the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

In the American Legacy Collection set, the coins in the standard proof coins set are positioned differently than in a regular 2005 proof set - vertically instead of horizontally.

Turning the proof coins set over, the reverse of the Westward Journey nickels shows the American bison and the "Ocean in View" scenes. 

The obverse of the 50 State Quarters coins series remained constant with George Washington's portrait. 

And, the reverse of each quarter varies by state. In 2005, the states included were California (31st, September 9, 1850), Minnesota (32nd, May 11, 1858), Oregon (33rd, Feb. 14, 1859), Kansas (34th, Jan. 29, 1861) and West Virginia (35th, June 20, 1863).  

The 2005 American Legacy Collection provides both history and respect in the proof coins set with the commemorative silver dollars and the standard proof coins.