On September 11, 2001, nineteen evil men carried out a coordinated attack on America that claimed the lives of 3,000 innocent people.

Fully aware of the terrorists' unyielding ambition to destroy the American way of life, President George W. Bush authorized the creation of a new agency devoted entirely to the task of strengthening the nation's domestic defense capabilities.

The Department of Homeland Security was officially established on November 25, 2002 and was charged with providing oversight for a number of the nation's most critical domestic security resources, including the Coast Guard and the Secret Service.

Skillfully coordinating the efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and emergency response organizations, the Department of Homeland Security plays a vital role in America's domestic defense strategy.

This coin honors the diligent and dedicated efforts of every member of the Department of Homeland Security in helping to keep America safe. The obverse features a full color rendering of the official seal of the Department of Homeland Security. The reverse depicts the unforgettable image of three New York City Firefighters raising the American Flag over the ruined landscape of ground zero.

Minted in MerlinGold,® a proprietary brass alloy that simulates the look and feel of gold, each proof-like coin comes packaged with an America Unites header card that details the nation's response to the tragedy of September 11, 2001.