Letter
Dear Mr. Ryder:
In its public meeting of 17 June conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed alternative designs for a three-coin set commemorating the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Consistent with the preferences of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Mint’s liaison for this program, the Commission’s recommendations are as follows:
Five-Dollar Gold Coin: The Commission recommended the gold coin pairing #4, which includes alternative PH-G-O-04 for the obverse and PH-G-R-04 for the reverse.
One-Dollar Silver Coin: The Commission recommended alternative PH-S-O-02A for the obverse and PH-S-R-01 for the reverse.
Half-Dollar Clad Coin: The Commission recommended the clad coin
pairing #1, which includes alternative PH-C-O-01 for the obverse and
PH-C-R-01 for the reverse.
The Commission members did not support the option described by the Mint of applying color to some of the coins, commenting that the traditional purple color should be reserved for the actual Purple Heart medal that is earned in service to the nation, rather than used for a facsimile of the medal as depicted in this numismatic program.
As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
David Ryder, Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20220