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2015 United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act
Public Law 112-104 112th Congress - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in
commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the Nation's first Federal law enforcement
agency, the United States Marshals. The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the
225 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of the United States Marshals Service.
• The Congress hereby finds as follows:
The United States Marshals, the first Federal law enforcement officers in America, were
established under section 27 of the Act of Congress entitled ``Chapter XX.--An Act to Establish the
Judicial Courts of the United States'' and enacted on September 24, 1789 (commonly referred to as
the ``Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789''), during the 1st Session of the 1st Congress, and signed
into law by the 1st President of the United States, George Washington.
George Washington had carefully considered the appointments to the Judicial Branch long before
the enactment of the Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789, and nominated the first 11 United States
Marshals on September 24, and the remaining two Marshals on September 25, 1789. The Senate
confirmed all 13 on September 26, 1789, 2 days after the Judiciary Act was signed into law.
In 1969, by order of the Department of Justice, the United States Marshals Service was created,
and achieved Bureau status in 1974. The United States Marshals Service has had major
significance in the history of the United States, and has directly contributed to the safety and
preservation of this Nation, by serving as an instrument of civil authority used by all 3 branches of
the United States Government.
One of the original 13 United States Marshals, Robert Forsyth of Georgia, a 40-year-old veteran of
the Revolutionary War, was the first civilian official of the United States Government, and the first of
many United States Marshals and deputies, to be killed in the line of duty when he was shot on
January 11, 1794, while trying to serve civil process.
The United States Marshals Service Commemorative Coin will be the first commemorative coin to
honor the United States Marshals Service.
The United States should pay tribute to the Nation's oldest Federal law enforcement agency, the
United States Marshals Service, by minting and issuing commemorative coins, as provided in this
Act.
A commemorative coin will bring national and international attention to the lasting legacy of this
Nation's oldest Federal law enforcement agency.
The proceeds from a surcharge on the sale of such commemorative coins will assist the financing
of national museums and charitable organizations.
• Denominations. In commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the United States
Marshals Service, the Secretary of the Treasury shall mint and issue the following coins:
$5 gold coins. Not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins, which shall contain 90 percent gold and 10
percent alloy.
$1 silver coins. Not more than 500,000 $1 coins, which shall contain 90 percent silver and 10
percent alloy.
Half-Dollar Clad Coins. Not more than 750,000 half dollar coins which shall contain an alloy of 75
percent copper and 25 percent nickel.
• Design Requirements. The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the 225 years of
exemplary and unparalleled achievements of the United States Marshals Service.
• Coin images.
$5 gold coins
♦ Obverse. The obverse of the $5 gold coins issued shall bear an image of the United States
Marshals Service Star (also known as ``America's Star'').
♦ Reverse. The reverse of the $5 gold coins issued under shall bear a design emblematic of the
sacrifice and service of the men and women of the United States Marshals Service who lost
their lives in the line of duty and include the Marshals Service motto ``Justice, Integrity,
Service''
$1 silver coins
♦ Obverse. The obverse of the $1 coins issued shall bear an image of the United States
Marshals Service Star (also known as ``America's Star'').
♦ Reverse. The reverse of the $1 silver coins issued shall bear an image emblematic of the
United States Marshals legendary status in America's cultural landscape. The image should
depict Marshals as the lawmen of our frontiers, including their geographic, political, or cultural
history, and shall include the Marshals Service motto ``Justice, Integrity, Service''.
Half dollar clad coins.
♦ Obverse. The obverse of the half dollar clad coins issued shall bear an image emblematic of
the United States Marshals Service and its history.
♦ Reverse. The reverse of the half dollar clad coins issued shall bear an image consistent with
the role that the United States Marshals played in a changing nation, as they were involved in
some of the most pivotal social issues in American history. The image should show the ties
that the Marshals have to the United States Constitution, with themes including:
◊ the Whiskey Rebellion and the rule of law;
◊ slavery and the legacy of inequality; and
◊ the struggle between labor and capital.
• Realistic and historically accurate depictions. The images for the designs of coins issued shall be
selected on the basis of the realism and historical accuracy of the images and on the extent to which the
images are reminiscent of the dramatic and beautiful artwork on coins of the so-called “Golden Age of
Coinage'' in the United States.
• Coins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities. Only 1 facility of the
United States Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this Act.
Approved April 2, 2012. (The Secretary may issue coins, to the public, minted under this Act
beginning on or after January 1, 2015, except for a limited number to be issued prior to such date to the
Director of the United States Marshals Service and employees of the Service for display and
presentation during the 225th Anniversary celebration. No coins may be minted under this Act after
December 31, 2015.)
Background
The U.S. Mint released the U.S. Marshals 225th Anniversary $5 Gold Coin in 2015 as part of the U.S. Marshals 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program. It commemorates the U.S. Marshals Service, the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. The program includes a $5 gold coin, $1 silver coin, and half dollar clad coin with unique obverse and reverse designs.
Characteristics
The gold obverse design features an image of the United States Marshals Service Star with a western-style backdrop.
The gold reverse design depicts an eagle holding a flag. The eagle is protected by a shield inscribed “U.S. Marshal.”
The silver obverse design features an image of the United States Marshals Service Star with silhouettes of Old West U.S. Marshals on horseback.
The silver reverse design features a U.S. Marshal who embodies the grit and determination needed to bring law and order to the American Western frontier. The Marshal holds a poster that reads “Wanted in Ft. Smith.”
The half dollar clad obverse coin design features a present-day U.S. Marshal with an Old West U.S. Marshal in the background.
The half dollar clad reverse depicts blindfolded Lady Justice holding balanced scales in her left hand as she extends a simplified U.S. Marshals badge. The U.S. Constitution is shown to illustrate that the USMS gets its authority from this document. Other elements symbolize some of the other well-known tasks of the Marshals Service in changing times: an 18th century whiskey jug symbolizes the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion, old wooden railroad tracks represent the Pullman Strike of 1894, a stack of schoolbooks strapped together with an apple resting on top symbolizes the 1960 New Orleans school integration. A pair of open handcuffs represents the task of the U.S. Marshals to apprehend federal fugitives.
Recipient Organization: U.S. Marshals Museum, Inc.; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation; National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
The first $5 million in surcharges received from the sale of coins issued under is to be paid to the U.S. Marshals Museum, Inc., for the preservation, maintenance, and display of artifacts and documents. The remainder of the surcharge funds shall be divided between the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.