Because commemorative silver dollars include a surcharge — usually $10 per coin — that helps support the organization, buying them is more than a good investment. It’s also a good way to support worthy causes and institutions. In fact, the program has raised more than $418,000,000 since it began. Over the years, the funds have helped to preserve historical sites and to create new national monuments and museums.

Obverse of AVDL Silver Dollar

The U.S. Mint is issuing two commemorative silver dollars in 2010. The first is the American Veterans Disabled for Life (AVDL) Silver Dollar which became available on February 25, 2010. The second is the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Silver Dollar which is scheduled to be released on March 23, 2010.

The AVDL silver dollar was authorized by Congress in July of 2008. It was created to honor the sacrifice of American armed forces members who have been permanently disabled during their service to our country. Few subjects have been as worthy of this honor.

A total of 350,000 AVDL proof and uncirculated silver dollars will be minted at West Point. They will bear the W mint mark. The coins, which are 90% silver and 10% copper, weigh 26.73 grams and are 1.5 inches in diameter.

U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart designed the obverse which shows the booted legs of three soldiers. One of the soldiers has only one leg. It’s a poignant design that conveys the sacrifice these heroic Americans have made for their country. The inscription in the banner at the top of the coin reads THEY STOOD UP FOR US. The inscriptions at the bottom read LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST with the year 2010.

Reverse of AVDL Silver Dollar

U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Thomas Cleveland designed the reverse of the coin. It shows a wreath of ribbons and oak branches with a forget-me-not at its base. The oak branches represent the strength of the veterans, and the flower is a symbol of remembrance. The message in the center of the wreath reads Take This Moment to Honor Our Disabled Defenders of Freedom. The other inscriptions are ONE DOLLAR and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The proof AVDL silver dollars will be sold for the introductory price of $39.95 until March 29, 2010. Uncirculated coins in will be $33.95. After March 29, they will be $43.95 and $35.95, respectively.

The $10 surcharge from the sale of this coin will be used to build the AVDL Memorial in Washington, DC. The memorial was authorized by Congress in 2000.

You can order the silver dollars from the U.S. Mint by calling 1-800-USA-MINT or at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.

Previous U.S. Mint commemorative silver dollars have turned out to be solid investments. Some proof 2001 Buffalo Silver Dollars are selling for ten times the issue price. And the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Silver Dollar sold out very quickly, which usually leads to appreciation.

Read more about commemorative silver dollars here.

Images from the U.S. Mint.

Commemorative silver dollars also help to raise money for worthy causes and institutions. A surcharge, usually around $10 per coin, is designated to support the organization that’s being honored. Since the program started in 1982, more than $418,000,000 has been raised. This money has been used to fund new museums, national monuments, and to help preserve historical sites.

2010 Boy Scouts of Amercia Silver Dollar Obverse

U.S. Commemorative silver dollars not only help to do a lot of good, they are often a good investment. Proof Buffalo Silver Dollars that sold for $35 when they were issued in 2001 now sell for ten times that.

The U.S. Mint will issue two commemorative silver dollars in 2010. The first was the American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar, which was released on February 25th 2010.

The second, The Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin, will honor the BSA’s 100th anniversary, which takes place on February 8th, 2010. The issue was authorized by Congress in October of 2008. And the surcharge for the coins will be used to support Boy Scout troops in hard-to-serve locations.

A total of 350,000 proof and uncirculated coins will be produced. Seventeen designs for the obverse and five for the reverse were developed. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner chose the winning designs on September 16, 2009.

U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Donna Weaver designed the obverse, which shows a Cub Scout, a female Venturer, and a Boy Scout saluting. The image reflects the diversity in scouting today. The inscriptions on the obverse include CONTINUING THE JOURNEY, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the years 1910 and 2010.

2010 Boy Scouts of America Silver Dollar Reverse

U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers designed the reverse which features the emblem of the BSA and the inscriptions ONE DOLLAR, BE PREPARED, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURBIS UNUM, and BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.

The coins, which are 90% silver and 10% copper, weigh 27.73 grams and are 1.5 inches in diameter. They are available from the U.S. Mint and are scheduled to be released at noon ET on March 23, 2010. Uncirculated and proof silver dollars will be available for the introductory price of $33.95 and $39.85 respectively until April 22, 2010. After that, the price goes to $35.95 and $43.95.

Read about other U.S. Commemorative silver dollars here.

Images from the U.S. Mint.

The reverse side of the coin features an America Bison. Black Diamond, a buffalo in New York’s Central Park, was likely the model.

American Buffalo Silver Dollar

The obverse shows a portrait of a Native American Chief. Fraser used several actual chiefs as models — Iron Tail of the Oglala Sioux tribe, Two Moons of the Cheyenne tribe, and Big Tree of the Kiowa tribe. The three performed in Wild West shows in New York City when Fraser was designing the coin.

Fast forward 80+ years. The U.S. Mint decides to produce a coin to commemorate the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institution. And a slightly modified version Fraser‘s Buffalo Nickel design was chosen for the coin. On October 27, 2000, President William Clinton signed the law authorizing the creation of the commemorative silver dollar.

Only 500,000 coins were struck. They went on sale on June 1, 2001, and they were sold out by June 21. Originally, the coins sold for $35 apiece but today, proof coins are selling for $250 to $800. A portion of the proceeds from the original sale was used to help supplement the museum’s endowment fund.

American Buffalo Silver Dollar

Buffalo Silver Dollars are 90% silver and 10% alloy, and they weigh 26.73 grams. The uncirculated coins were struck in Denver, and the proof coins were struck in Philadelphia.

The silver dollars are slightly different from the original nickels. The word “Liberty” appears on the obverse to the right of the Chief’s profile. On the reverse, the words “United States of America” and “In God We Trust” appear above the buffalo. And “One Dollar” is visible below.

Coin collectors who jumped on the opportunity and were able to purchase Buffalo Silver Dollars are very glad they did. Especially those who were able to obtain one of the 50,000 American Buffalo Coinage and Currency sets.

If you collect coins, keep tabs on new issues from the U.S. mint.

Read more about collecting silver dollars here.

Photos: U.S. Mint