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Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi
Vicksburg National Military Park was created to commemorate the 47-day Battle of Vicksburg of the American Civil War which was waged from May 18 to July 4, 1863, as well as the greater Vicksburg Campaign which led up to it. The city of Vicksburg was seen as a vital linchpin in the logistics of the Civil War as it controlled a commanding position of the shipping on the Mississippi River. It’s loss to Union forces after the battle was seen as part of the beginning of the end of the Confederate States of America.
The Coin: Is a perfect strike and a collectors coin as it display's the "P" mint mark and has a sandblasted type finish.
The Vicksburg National Military Park Silver Bullion Coin honors the military park in the state of Mississippi and marks the fourth 5-ounce silver strike released by the US Mint in 2012 for the series of "P" collectors coins.
The military park today consists of 1,852.75 acres and was originally established on February 21, 1899 by the War Department. Its ownership was transferred to the National Park Service in 1933 who now maintains the 1,325 historic monuments and markers found there.
Inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR surround a portrait of George Washington that is featured on the obverse of each America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Collectors Coin as well as the "P" mint mark. The portrait was originally completed by John Flanagan and initially used on the circulating quarter dollar in 1932.
A depiction of the U.S.S. Cairo, a Civil War era gunboat is shown on the reverse of the Vicksburg bullion collectors coin. The Cairo is on display at the Vicksburg National Military Park after being salvaged and partially restored. This design was completed by AIP Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna and includes the inscriptions of VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, 2011 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.