Celebrating the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Marshals Service, America’s first federal law enforcement agency, the US mint kicks off a coin program with the release of six coins commemorating the event. The actual date passed last September, but this is a 2015 coin program and will be minted through until the end of the year, or until the mintage limits are reached.

Described by the mint “The United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, having served our nation since 1789. Ensuring liberty and justice for our infant nation, the U.S. Marshals Service was formed when President George Washington signed the Judiciary Act into law in 1789. With a history woven around our Constitution, the U.S. Marshals Service continues, 225 years later, with the same principles of justice, integrity and service.”, it’s clearly an organisation worth the attention.

All the coins will be available from the 29 January, but are up to order from the US Mints website. Comprising three different designs, one for each metal, with each available in a choice of two finishes, all are of a high standard in our opinion. The three coin set looks particularly good.

GOLD PROOF (TOP) AND UNCIRCULATED

The gold comes in proof and uncirculated finishes, but prices haven’t appeared on site yet, likely because the mint is probably on the verge of increasing prices across the board because of the rise in the spot value of gold. We’d expect around the $425 mark for the proof, with the uncirculated maybe five bucks lower. Great design, especially on the Eagle adorned side.

MINTS DESCRIPTION: The theme of the U.S. Marshals Service 225^th Anniversary 2015 $5 Gold Proof (and uncirculated) Coin is “225 years of sacrifice” representing the more than 250 Marshals who have lost their lives in the line of duty. From 1794, when the first Marshals were killed in the line of duty, to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice more recently, this coin honors every life lost in the pursuit of justice.

OBVERSE: depicts the U.S. Marshals Service star superimposed on a mountain range, evoking a western landscape. Inscriptions are “1789,” “LIBERTY,” “2014,” “UNITED STATES,“IN GOD WE TRUST,” “2015,” “MARSHAL” and “225 YEARS OF SACRIFICE.”

REVERSE: depicts an eagle holding a draped American flag. On the eagle’s chest is a shield with the inscription “U.S. MARSHAL.” A banner in the eagle’s claw bears the inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Additional inscriptions are “JUSTICE INTEGRITY SERVICE,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “$5.”

SILVER PROOF (TOP) & UNCIRCULATED

The silver also comes in proof and uncirculated finishes, with introductory prices of  $46.95 and $43.95 respectively. Both will rise by $5 after the introductory period has lapsed. Another great design that’s very American and great value compared to prices at other world mints for similarly specified coins.

MINTS DESCRIPTION: Honor the U.S. Marshals and add this silver dollar in proof or uncirculated quality to your collection. This silver dollar coin celebrates the 225^th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service and honors those Marshals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Each coin’s design was developed around a theme. The silver dollar’s theme is the American West. It represents the now legendary role the U.S. Marshals had in the American West.

OBVERSE: depicts the U.S. Marshals Service star and the silhouettes of deputies on horseback pursuing an unseen fugitive, symbolizing a famous posse so prevalent in the Old West. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “1789 – 2014,” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “2015.”

REVERSE: depicts a frontier U.S. Marshal leaning against a post, holding a “wanted” poster with the inscription “WANTED IN FT. SMITH.” Additional inscriptions are “JUSTICE INTEGRITY SERVICE,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “$1.”

PACKAGING AND THE CLAD COIN

The gold and silver coins come individually packaged in the usual US Mint snapper boxes, but the one we like is the three coin proof set. Containing a gold, a silver, and a clad coin in a proof finish, it makes a great looking collectible set. The clad coin isn’t something we’d normally cover here as it isn’t a precious metal numismatic, but we’ve tucked it below to have a look at because of the set. It’s a good design, although we think the weakest of the three. It’s also available individually for $14.95 in proof finish, and $13.95 in uncirculated.

MINTS DESCRIPTION: The clad half-dollar’s theme shows how the U.S. Marshals Service is woven into the fabric of American history. It depicts contrasting images of the Old West and modern day Deputy U.S. Marshals, showing the dramatic change from Western wear to tactical equipment.

OBVERSE: depicts an Old West U.S. Marshal and a horse in the upper left and a modern female U.S. Marshal wearing tactical gear in the lower right. The inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “1789 – 2014,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2015.”

REVERSE: depicts Lady Justice holding the scale of justice in her left hand and the U.S. Marshals Service star in her right. Next to Lady Justice is a copy of the U.S. Constitution, a stack of school books, handcuffs and a whisky jug, objects symbolizing well-known areas of responsibility in the history of the U.S. Marshals Service. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “HALF DOLLAR.”