Actually 5 Stars

I just ordered the $5 Unc. Gold General Douglas MacArthur Commemorative from the US Mint website. The $5 and $10 gold Unc. commemoratives are the only "modern" coins I collect in my registry set and the only coins I directly order from the mint. I will probably again submit for certification, but I always wonder if I should do this as I very much like the original mint packing.

I currently add to the set when the mint issues designs I like or are of historical interest. This coin's obverse shows a powerful image of the General in his prime with a cluster of 5 Stars above the date. The reverse commemorates Ft Leavenworth.

General MacAthur was highly controversial and had an amazing career in the Army spanning 52 years of military service to country. In checking his service record, he served as Superintendent of the US Military Academy at West Pont from 1919-1921. The Unc version has a "P" mintmark , while the Proofs are minted with a "W" West Point mint mark.I would have symbolically chosen the Proof except that all other coins in my set are Unc's.

On a personal note, my dad served under General MacArthur during the Occupation of Japan period. Dad was an avid stamp collector, but he learned a bit about coins in support of my interest and I fondly remember going to stamp and coin shows with him in the 1960s and early 1970's.

I also would like to recognize the many military veterans on this board and thank them for their service to country.

Thanks for reading, & happy collecting trails. RichH

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