U.S. Mint to Release William McKinley Presidential Silver Medal

As part of its Presidential Commemorative Silver Medal Series, the U.S. Mint will release for sale the William McKinley commemorative medal on May 12th, 2025. McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, and the last president who was a Civil War veteran. These commemorative medals are collector’s items and are not a circulating currency. The medals are one troy ounce of 99.9% silver, and cost $90.

McKinley enlisted in the 23rd Ohio Infantry as an 18 year old in 1861. The 23rd Ohio also counted future president Rutherford B. Hayes among its members. McKinley saw a great deal of action during the war, fighting at 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, and the battles of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. His final rank was brevet major.

William McKinley in 1896

After the war, McKinley returned to Ohio and became a lawyer and politician. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives and was Governor of Ohio. He ran for president as a Republican in 1896, defeating William Jennings Bryant. He ran for reelection in 1900, and beat Bryant again. He served only a few months of his second term. On September 6th, 1901, McKinley was shot twice at close range in the abdomen by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while attending the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The wound became infected and president lingered until September 14th, when he died of gangrene. He was succeeded by Vice President Theodore Roosevelt. Czolgosz was tried, convicted of murder, and executed by electric chair on October 29th, 1901.

The front of the coin features a bust of McKinley. The back has his inauguration dates, the date of his assassination, and the date of his death, well as a figure of Columbia and a palm branch and wreath.

William McKinley Presidential Medal Front. U.S. Mint image

William McKinley Presidential Medal Back. U.S. Mint Image