09 August 2019
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A medal featuring the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, has been released as the latest in the US Mint's Presidential Silver Medals series.
A veteran of the Revolutionary War, James Monroe (1758-1831) was the last president from America's Founding Fathers - the men who led the war for independence from Britain.
Monroe, who was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, studied law under his mentor Thomas Jefferson, after resigning his commission. He went on to serve as a U.S. Senator representing Virginia, and as a Minister to France and later to Britain. He also assisted in negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase.
Monroe's achievements
Among his other accomplishments, history remembers James Monroe as the father of the Monroe Doctrine, the foreign policy principle that dictated the role of America and Europe in the Western Hemisphere.
Coin details
The obverse of the medal features a portrait of James Monroe with the inscriptions “JAMES MONROE,” “PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.” and “A.D. 1817” alongside the border of the medal.
The reverse of the medal features the inscription “PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP,” symbolized by two hands clasped in token of amity. On the cuff of the left wrist are three stripes and buttons; the other wrist is bare. Above the hands, the pipe of peace and the tomahawk are crossed over each other.
Composition: 99.9% silver
Weight: 31.103g
Diameter: 1.598 inches
Obverse design: Moritz Furst
Reverse design: John Reich
Order the medal from the US Mint's website.
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(image copyright US Mint)
