Washington ? The U.S. Mint is unveiling a new coin to honor the 230th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps – the first time the government has struck a commemorative coin to salute a branch of the military.

The new silver dollar will feature on one side the famous photograph of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, and on the other side the official Marine Corps emblem of an eagle, globe and anchor and the Marine motto, “Semper Fidelis” – always faithful.

“The coin design is simple and heroic,” said Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore.

“The Iwo Jima image is the storied symbol of the Marine Corps’ heroism, courage, strength and versatility. It exemplifies ‘Semper Fidelis’ to an appreciative nation every day around the world.”

Fore and Marine Corps officials participated in a ceremonial striking of the shiny new dollars on Wednesday at the Philadelphia branch of the U.S. Mint. Proceeds from the sale of the coin will go toward building the Marine Corps National Museum in Quantico, Va.

The Marine Corps dates to Nov. 10, 1775, when the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and passed a resolution saying that “two Battalions of Marines be raised” to serve as landing forces at sea. Their first amphibious raid quickly followed, in the Bahamas, in March 1776.

Congress authorizes two official commemorative coins to be produced by the U.S. Mint each year. For 2005, the two coins are the Marine Corps 230th anniversary silver dollar and the Chief Justice John Marshall silver dollar, which was released earlier this year.

A U.S. Mint employee displays a coin that honors the 230th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps. The new silver dollar will feature the flag-raising at Iwo Jima on one side, and the official Marine Corps emblem on the other side.

The regular price for the proof silver dollar in a presentation case is $39, with the uncirculated silver dollar in a gift box priced at $35.

Commemorative coins are not minted for general circulation but they are legal tender.

Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982 with the striking of the George Washington 250th anniversary coin, more than $422 million in surcharges have been raised to help build new museums, maintain national monuments such as the Vietnam War memorial and preserve historical sites such as George Washington’s home.