Coins - 1995 Prestige
Set
The 1995 Prestige Set respects history with two commemorative coins made to help fund the preservation of
our Civil War Battlefields. The two coins, a silver dollar and a clad half dollar, recognize our civil war
history on both the obverse and reverse designs.
The set contained seven coins for a total of $2.41 in face value. Initially, the Mint sold the set for $57.
Accounting for inflation using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Inflation Calculator, the initial price would be $81.40 in 2010
dollars. The US Mint packaged the 1995 Prestige Set using the same box design seen with earlier
sets, however this version was a deep green color. The box measures 5 1/4 inches by 7 3/8 inches by 1 5/8
inches.
In silver print, the heraldic eagle is centered above "UNITED STATES MINT 1995 PRESTIGE SET" on the lid of
the outer box.
The box securely holds the plush, dark green velvet book with the seven coins along with the
Certificate of
Authenticity.
The heraldic eagle metallic emblem highlights the center of the velvet book. Metal trim protects the velvet
corners of the book.
Inside the front cover, white padded fabric embraces silver print of the heraldic eagle and the
inscription "UNITED STATES MINT 1995 PRESTIGE SET."
A red, white and blue ribbon attaches to form a triangle across the lower left. This ribbon can be used to
secure the Certificate
of Authenticity inside the set.
On the right, green plastic holds the coins sandwiched between two clear pieces of acrylic. At the top, the
silver commemorative dollar takes the important position with the commemorative clad half dollar taking the
lower right position.
Turning the set over to view the reverse, the inside back cover contains padding to
protect the coins' acrylic cover.
Many civil war battlefields, both protected as national heritage property and unprotected as people's homelands,
exist. Nearby in Georgia are Kennesaw, Allatoona Pass and Chickamauga to name just a few of the well known and
well kept areas.
In addition, the Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania tells the story of the Civil War
from both sides "without bias to Union or Confederate causes." On the grounds of the museum, a bronze statue called Moment of Mercy shows men may fight in war but they still respect human life.
Nineteen year old Confederate Sergeant Richard R. Kirkland asked his commander for permission to give water to
the fallen Union soldiers. Though his commander expected him to be killed, the young boy jumped enemy lines to
provide liquid to the dying men. Initially, the Union ranks fired upon the young Confederate soldier, but after
seeing him provide fluid to the Union men, the Union commander said, "Don't shoot that man. He's too brave to
die!"
The obverse of the commemorative silver dollar for the Civil War Battlefield preservation shows a scene similar
to that of sculptor Terry Jones in his Moment of Mercy statue.
The coin's obverse honors the young soldier who provides a wounded soldier a drink from his canteen.
Above the soldiers and to the left is the word "LIBERTY," and underneath are the words "IN GOD WE TRUST."
The year, 1995, is centered under the soldiers.
On the silver dollar's reverse, the quote by Joshua Chamberlain says, "In great deeds something
abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass. Bodies disappear. But spirits linger to consecrate
ground for the visionplace of soulds."
Below the quote, the designers portrayed Little Round Top, the smaller of two granite hills just
south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Union forces successfully defended Little Round Top which became one of the
most notable engagements of the Civil War.
Above the quote, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" are inscribed. The inscription "ONE DOLLAR"
sits within the Little Round Top landscape.
Smaller than the silver dollar but the same size as the standard half dollar, the commemorative clad half
dollar shows a Civil War drummer in front of a split rail fence.
The Civil War Drummer played an important role with his drum. Long before radio and cell phones, drums were
vital to the communications within the armies on the battlefield. Staying close to commanding officer, the drummer
played various rolls to signal different commands on the battlefield. Age restrictions were frequently overlooked,
and boys as young as ten became drummer boys for the war.
Inscriptions on the obverse include "LIBERTY" over the drummer, "1995" to the right of him and "IN GOD
WE TRUST" below him.
On the reverse of the half dollar, a cannon remains ready with its stack of cannon balls overlooking a
farmland valley. A split rail fence cuts through the pasture, and a farmhouse with shade trees sits
on the other side of the valley with foothills in the distance.
Above the cannon, the inscription states, "Enriching our furture by preserving the past."
Around the upper portion of the rim, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is inscribed with "HALF
DOLLAR" inscribed below the cannon.
Many say, "History repeats itself." In some ways, this is true. But, it's also true that we learn from
history. Preserving our battlefields and using them to learn and remember our history helps prevent us from making
the same mistakes again.
The Civil War commemorative silver dollar and clad half dollar in the 1995 Prestige Set help us to remember
and to learn as well.
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