2017-10-27 Fri

On 25th October, the proposed designs for a congressional gold medal to honour former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole were reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. The design concepts for the 2019 American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program were also discussed. The medal is being made as a mark of respect for Dole’s service to the nation as a soldier, legislator, and statesman.

During a fight in Italy as an officer with the 10th Mountain Division in April 1945, Dole was wounded from German machine gun fire. He got two Purple Hearts for his injuries and a Bronze Star with combat “V” for helping a wounded radioman. From 1961 to 1996, he represented Kansas in Congress and was the Republican leader of the United States Senate from 1985 to 1996. He was the Republican presidential nominee in the 1996 and the vice presidential nominee in the 1976 presidential election.

The obverse features a portrait of Bob Dole with the Capitol in the background. Inscriptions include SON OF KANSAS, SOLDIER, STATESMAN, and BOB DOLE. The proposed reverse features a Kansas wheat field and a quote from Sen. Dole: FOR / GREATNESS LIES NOT / IN WHAT OFFICE YOU HOLD, / BUT IN HOW HONEST YOU ARE, / IN HOW YOU FACE ADVERSITY, / AND IN YOUR WILLINGNESS / TO STAND FAST IN HARD / PLACES. Another inscription reads ACT OF CONGRESS 2017.

As per the law, up to 50,000 gold $5 half eagles, 400,000 silver dollars and 750,000 copper-nickel-clad half dollars will be released in Proof and Uncirculated versions.