A new commemorative by a former Chief Engraver of the United States Mint is always newsworthy. And this is especially so when it is issued nearly three years after the death of the artist!

Frank Gasparro, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint from February 23, 1965 to January 16, 1981, designed a salute to America soon after General Schwarzkopf led coalition troops to victory in the first Gulf War in 1991. The design features the Statue of Liberty, the Great Seal, and inspirational inscription “Freedom for All.”

Besides designing the Susan B. Anthony Dollar, Gasparro also designed the Lincoln Memorial reverse on the Cent, the reverse of the Kennedy Half Dollar, the obverse and reverse of the Eisenhower Dollar, and numerous other medals for the U.S. Mint. He was born in Philadelphia on August 26, 1909 and died on September 29, 2001.

For the first time, Gasparro's “Freedom for All” designs appear on cameo prooflike brilliant uncirculated pure silver commemoratives. These are notable for their extremely high relief and deeply dished (concave) surfaces. Like past high reliefs issued by the U.S. Mint, each Freedom for All commemorative must be struck multiple (4) times to bring out all of the fine details in the designs.

There will be a limited edition of only 5,000 proof 1 oz. pure silver pieces issued, with an issue price of $19.95 and a maximum of just 1,000 proof 2 oz. pure silver pieforts (double thick) priced at $39.95. Advance orders are also being accepted for the proof 10 gm. pure gold edition, limited to 500 pieces, that will be available shortly; the price is $189. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity, featuring a facsimile signature of Frank Gasparro. Credit card orders can be placed by calling (800) 472-6327, e-mailing info@pandaamerica.com , or on web site www.pandaamerica.com . Mail orders can be sent to PandaAmerica, 3460 Torrance Blvd., Suite 100 , Torrance , CA 90503 . Add $5.50 per order for shipping and insurance.

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Prepared by Mel Wacks