On July 2, the publisher of World Coin News announced that the 2005 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar has been named “Coin of the Year” (COTY). This commemorative coin features an engraving by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Norman E. Nemeth of the Joe Rosenthal Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of the Marines raising the flag over Iwo Jima in 1943. The reverse features the official emblem of the Marine Corps engraved by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.
The US Mint issued their press release today.
Coin of the Year is selected from winners of ten categories. The Marine Corps commemorative was the winner of the “Best Crown” category. Other US coins in winning categories include the 2005 Oregon State Quarter as the “Best Trade Coin” and the 2005 American Bison Nickel as the “Most Popular” coin.
COTY was created by the editors of World Coin News to “encourage and honor creativity in the coinage issues of the mints of the world.” World Coin News delays the selection to allow coins to be nominated and reviewed.