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.
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