One of two silver commemorative strikes released by the US Mint in 2005 was the Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar. In honor of the Marines' two centuries of continuous service, it was issued on July 20, 2005.
On November 10, 1775, the Continental Marines mustered their first two battalions. Ever since then, they've kept serving the country, contributing their amphibious combat experience to every American fight.
Public Law 108-291, which commemorates the 230th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, gave Congress the go light to mint silver dollars honoring the Corps in 2005.
The Mint was authorized by the Act to produce proof and uncirculated coins "in commemoration of the 230th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, and to support construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center."
Included in the 2005 US Mint American Legacy Collection and the Marine Corps Coin & Stamp Set, a grand total of 600,000 coins were approved across all product possibilities.
The obverse of each coin depicts Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal's iconic shot of Marines raising an American Flag on Iwo Jima. The US Mint sculptor-engraver Norman E. Nemeth created it with the words LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, MARINES, 1775, and 2005.
The 2005 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar's reverse has the Marine Corps' official insignia, the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. USA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, SEMPER FIDELIS, and ONE DOLLAR surround the symbol. Charles L. Vickers created the reverse for the US Mint.
The United States Marine Corps Heritage Foundation received the surcharges that were collected from the sale of these coins. These surcharges provided the foundation with the funds necessary to construct the Marine Corps Heritage Center.