The 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Silver Dollar commemorates the bicentennial of the song's creation, which became the US national anthem. On March 5, 2012, the Star-Spangled Banner $5 Gold Coin and silver dollar were launched.
Each silver dollar is struck from a composition consisting of ninety percent of the precious metal, and it has a diameter of one and a half inches, which is the normal specification for commemorative dollar coins in the modern coinage.
No more than 500,000 of the Star-Spangled Banner Silver Dollars will be produced by the United States Mint, and they will be produced in either proof or uncirculated form (as illustrated above). Both coins were made available for purchase on March 5 at special rates of $49.95 for the proof and $44.95 for the uncirculated versions of the coins.
Along with silver dollars and proof and uncirculated commemorative gold coins, the Mint sells a two-coin proof set with a proof silver dollar and a proof $5 gold coin. Its pricing started at $579.30 and fluctuates weekly based on gold prices.
With the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 111-232), Congress authorized the silver dollar and $5 gold coin. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland proposed the Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law on August 16, 2010.
Each Star-Spangled Banner Silver Dollar will incur a $10 surcharge. The authorizing legislation directs the surcharges to the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission for bicentennial activities, educational outreach (including scholarly research and exhibit development), and preservation and improvement of War of 1812 sites and structures.
The silver dollar's obverse depicts Lady Liberty waving a 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner representing "The Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry." Fort McHenry is behind her. The obverse reads LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2012. It was created by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and carved by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
The reverse depicts "The Star-Spangled Banner" with a current American Flag. The reverse reads ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and USA. AIP Associate Designer William C. Burgard III designed and US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart sculpted the reverse.