Confronting the threat posed to the world by Iraq's dangerous dictator, the U.S. Military launched Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 20, 2003. In command of a multi-national coalition, America's Armed Forces spearheaded a massive military campaign designed to oust Saddam Hussein from power and liberate the people of Iraq from his oppressive rule. Exhibiting lightning-fast speed and overwhelming power, U.S. led forces unleashed a simultaneous air and ground assault that utterly crippled the enemy's defenses, enabling the Allies to swiftly advance toward their final objective. Seizing control of the Iraqi capital on April 9, 2003, American forces officially declared the end of Saddam Hussein's brutal regime, ushering in a new era of Iraqi independence. This coin salutes the success achieved by America and its Allies in the skillful execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom and pays special tribute to America's Army Rangers. Minted in MerlinGoldĀ®, a proprietary brass alloy that simulates the look and feel of gold, this proof-like coin contains rich enamel accents on its obverse. Symbolizing the major partners in the "Coalition of the Willing," the obverse features a montage of the American, British, and Australian Flags. The reverse contains the seal of the U.S. Army Rangers depicted above the motto "Rangers Lead the Way." Each coin comes sealed in a protective Lucite capsule and packaged with a header card that describes Operation Iraqi Freedom in full detail.