Obverse: a soldier charging up a hill, with naval ships in the foreground and two F-86 Sabre jet fighters flying overhead. Inscriptions read THIRTY EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE KOREA, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1953, 1991, LIBERTY, along with the initials JM.
Reverse: map of Korea with the 38th parallel marked and the Korean Taegeuk symbol, representing the unity of opposites (yin and yang). To the right is the head of an eagle. Inscriptions include ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, P, and initials TJF.
About the coin: this silver dollar was issued in 1991 to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the Korean War. The obverse was designed by John M. Mercanti and the reverse by Thomas James Ferrell. Proof coins were struck at Philadelphia (P) and uncirculated coins at Denver (D). The maximum authorized mintage was 1 million, with over 80% of the total sold. Proceeds supported the construction of the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Composition – 90% silver and 10% copper, actual silver weight 24.05 g, total weight 26.73 g, diameter 38.1 mm, reeded edge.
