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Every presidency begins with the simple oath of
office, as prescribed by the Constitution:
"I do solemnly swear that I will
faithfully execute the office of the
President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Though the words have not changed since George
Washington first spoke
them in 1789, each utterance of the oath initiates a new direction in
American history. The incoming President brings to the office a unique
blend of personality and leadership skills, to temporarily navigate the
ship of state through unknown, often turbulent waters. All presidents
faced momentous decisions, that if traced forward to the present,
helped shape the world we live in today.
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Only a tiny handful of men have had the
privilege to serve as President of the United States. A series of
presidential commemorative coins are now being minted to honor those
individuals who once held the nation's highest office. Some of them are
better remembered than others, but for many Americans, it is the
institution of the Presidency itself that is revered most.
Four presidential dollar coins are released into general circulation
each year, beginning in 2007. Click on any linked presidential
name below to learn more about the man himself and the historical
legacy of his administration. As more coin designs are announced by the
U.S. Mint, they too will be included in our "Hail to the Chiefs" page.
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