In Honor of Our Nation’s Heroes! America’s armed forces have once again distinguished themselves with courage and honor. In Operation Iraqi Freedom, our fighting men and women have successfully eliminated a major terrorist threat and liberated the people of Iraq from the despotism of Saddam Hussein. To honor our brave soldiers, artists have taken genuine U.S. “Walking Liberty” Silver Dollars and created stirring new designs, which are then permanently applied to genuine U.S. coins by a private mint through the process of colorization.   The result is a magnificent tribute to our nation’s armed services. These Silver American Eagles are composed of 99.93% pure silver, weigh 31.01 grams and contain exactly one ounce of silver— the largest and heaviest U.S. silver coin ever minted. With the enhancement of colorization, they are not only very collectible, but they also make perfect gifts for veterans, and men and women currently serving in our armed forces. Armed Services Silver Eagles For over two centuries, brave Americans in the Armed Forces have preserved our liberty and democracy— from the Revolutionary War to the war in Iraq. Now, for the first time in history, colorized U.S. coins are available that bear the official seals of the 4 main branches of the U.S. military. The U.S. Army, Navy, and Marines were all established by the Continental Congress in 1775, while the Air Force began in 1907. The Army, whose first commander in chief was George Washington, created its official emblem in 1974. It displays inspiring military and patriotic symbols, including a suit of armor, a cannon, an American Flag, the Cap of Liberty, and a rattlesnake around the words, “This We’ll Defend.” Operation Freedom Silver Eagles These permanently colorized U.S. Silver Eagles are available in two inspiring designs. One coin features an American bald eagle and a U.S. aircraft carrier, with an American flag flying above. On the other coin are soldiers from each branch of the Armed Forces— the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines. The legend on both coins reads, “Operation Freedom, March 19, 2003,” the date on which the war to liberate Iraq began. Each one-ounce silver coin is colorized on one side and comes in its own air-tight protective acrylic capsule. Handsome black presentation boxes are also available at a small additional charge. The Navy's emlem consists of an eagle with a shield on its breast, clutching an anchor, all surrounded by a chain and a rope. The mainelement of the Marines’ emblem is a “foul anchor,” an anchor which has one or more turns of its chain around it. The foul anchor dates back to 1776, while other parts of the official design, such as the globe and the eagle, were added later. The official seal of the Air Force displays a bald eagle, a cloud, and a shield with thunderbolts and lightning in the center. Below, in Roman numerals is the date, 1947, when the Air Force became a separate entity from the Army. Each one-ounce silver coin is colorized on one side and comes in its own air-tight protective acrylic capsule. Handsome black presentation boxes are also available at a small additional charge.