Rep. Jerrold Nadler, U.S. Treasurer Rosa Rios and 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels today unveiled the 2011 September 11 National Medal issued by the U. S. Mint to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Partial proceeds from sales of the official 9/11 medal will support the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center.

Schumer and Nadler's legislation, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act, was signed into law last in August, and authorizes the minting of two million medals to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and directs $10 of each medal sale to the National September 11th Memorial and Museum.

As the 10-year mark of the attacks approaches, the 9/11 medal provides an opportunity to commemorate the anniversary and support the 9/11 Memorial, a national tribute of honor and remembrance of the nearly 3,000 men, women, and children killed in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pa.  The Memorial will open to victims' families in a dedication ceremony on Sept. 11, 2011.  It opens to the general public by advance reservation a day later on Sept. 12, 2011.  Online reservations begin July 11, 2011

"These medals, commemorating the 10th anniversary of September 11th, provide a unique way to both honor the bravery of those who perished, and to recall the patriotism and community that their sacrifice inspired in a nation," Sen. Schumer said. "At the same time, their purchase allows each and every one of us to continue honoring those we lost by providing financial support for the operation and maintenance of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Working with Congressman Nadler, I am honored to have had a role in ensuring these medals were minted and made available for sale to the American public."
 
"These medals, which we are unveiling today, will honor the courage and sacrifice of those who perished on 9/11, and recognize the bravery of those who risked their lives to save others on that day," said Congressman Nadler.  "And the sale of the medals will provide key funding to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, which will help us bear witness to the profound loss and sacrifice of the American people for generations to come.  With these medals, let us reaffirm that, no matter the passage of time, we will never forget."

"The 9/11 Memorial will open in less than three months thanks to the hundreds of men and women that are building it and the thousands of individuals and institutions from all over the world who have contributed to it," said Mayor Bloomberg, who as chair leads the Memorial and Museum's private fundraising campaign which now totals close to $400 million for the Memorial. "The national medal commemorating the 10th anniversary offers people another opportunity to honor the men and women who died on 9/11 and to support the creation and operation of the memorial and museum. I want to thank Senator Schumer and Congressman Nadler for their leadership in Washington to help make it happen."

"The medal we present to the American public today has been created by the United States Mint to commemorate September 11, 2001 - a day that changed our Nation and world forever," said Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios.  "This medal's design is intended to exalt the memory of those that sacrificed their lives or were injured, and the families who continue to show dignity and strength in the face of terrible loss."
 
"I'd like to thank Senator Schumer and Congressman Nadler who with bi-partisan and overwhelming support of the U.S. Congress worked to guide the passage of a bill creating this truly special medal," 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels said. "The medal not only commemorates the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, it provides important funding for a national tribute of honor and remembrance to the 9/11 heroes and victims."
 
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act, which was signed into law Aug. 6, 2010, authorized the striking of up to 2 million one-once silver medals. The medals are available for purchase today (12 p.m. EST) through Aug. 18 (5 p.m. EST) at an introductory price of $56.95. After that period, the regular price is $66.95. For each medal purchased, $10 will be dedicated to the Memorial & Museum to support operations and maintenance.

Orders placed during the introductory pricing period will include a complimentary 8" x 10" certificate that showcases the medal artwork, description of the design and the signature of the U.S. Mint Acting Director Richard Peterson. To order visit, www.usmint.gov or call at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Shipping and handling fees will apply for domestic orders.
 
MEDAL DESIGN

U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Donna Weaver designed the obverse and reverse of the official 9/11 medal. The medal's obverse, or heads side, features a young Lady Liberty holding a "lamp of remembrance." Twin beacons of light stretching skyward flank her. The design symbolizes the immeasurable loss and the resiliency, courage and triumph of those who persevered. This side of the medal is inscribed with the words "always remember" and the decade "2001 - 2011."

The design of the medal's reverse, or tails, depicts an eagle with outstretched wings representing the strength of 9/11 survivors, the victims' families and the nation. The eagle soars against a backdrop of cascading water. The flowing water is emblematic of peace, serenity, healing and continuity of life. The inscriptions read, "honor" and "hope."

About half of the medals will be stuck at the Mint at West Point, N.Y. and will feature the "W" mint mark, while the other half will be struck at the Mint in Philadelphia and will feature the "P" mint mark.
 
 
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM
 
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is the not-for-profit corporation created to oversee the design, raise the funds, and program and operate the Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site.  The Memorial & Museum will be located on eight of the 16 acres of the site. The Museum opens to the public on September 12, 2011 with the reservation of a free visitor pass. The Museum will open in 2012.

The Memorial will remember and honor the nearly 3,000 people who died in the horrific attacks of February 26, 1993, and September 11, 2001.  The design, created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, consists of two pools formed in the footprints of the original Twin Towers and a plaza of trees.

The Museum will display monumental artifacts linked to the events of September 11, while presenting intimate stories of loss, compassion, reckoning and recovery that are central to telling the story of the 2001 attacks and the aftermath.  It will communicate key messages that embrace both the specificity and the universal implications of the events of 9/11; document the impact of those events on individual lives, as well as on local, national, and international communities; and explore the continuing significance of these events for our global community.

For more information on planning a visit to the Memorial or to make a donation, visit www.911memorial.org

Follow the Memorial & Museum on Twitter, @sept11memorial.

ABOUT U.S. MINT

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.  The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.

MEDIA INQUIRIES
9/11 Memorial, Michael Frazier, (212) 312-8800, mfrazier@911memorial.org

Senator Schumer's office, Mike Morey, 202-380-5990, mike_morey@schumer.senate.gov

Rep. Nadler's office, Ilan Kayatsky, 212-367-7350, ilan.kayatsky@mail.house.gov
 
September 11 National Medal Press Release PDF

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