50 Dollars WWII American F6F Hellcat

The Marshall Islands began issuing commemorative coinage in 1986 after the Compact of Free Association granted the republic authority over its own currency — though U.S. dollars remain the functional medium of exchange, making these silver pieces collector issues from the outset rather than circulating currency. The F6F Hellcat is a fitting subject for this issuer: the lagoons and atolls of the Marshall Islands, particularly Kwajalein and Majuro, were among the first significant American amphibious objectives in the Pacific campaign, with Hellcats flying direct air superiority cover during the January–February 1944 assault.

Grumman delivered over 12,000 Hellcats during the war. Its kill ratio against Japanese aircraft exceeded 19:1 by the conflict's end.