230th Marine Corps Birthday Ball Coin (2005) – A Story of Tradition and Brotherhood
This is a commemorative coin from the United States Marine Corps 230th Birthday Ball in 2005—the formal celebration of the Corps’ founding on November 10, 1775. Birthday Ball coins like this were distributed at unit-level events, officer/enlisted balls, or as mementos for attendees, often featuring the EGA and the specific anniversary year. Design Breakdown (Front Side): • Gold-plated or gold-tone finish with high-relief details and red enamel ring—premium and festive, matching the scarlet and gold of the Marine Corps. • Central emblem: The classic Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) in bold gold relief—eagle perched proudly on the globe, fouled anchor crossed behind, with detailed continents and ropes. • Outer ring text: UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS arched at the top, 230TH BIRTHDAY BALL curved at the bottom in raised lettering. • Anniversary dates: 1775 on the left, 2005 on the right—marking exactly 230 years of service. • Additional accents: Small stars around the edge—patriotic flair for the formal occasion. • Overall feel: Heavy, substantial, and celebratory—designed to be pocket-carried, displayed, or traded among Marines who attended the ball. The Real Story This Coin Tells In 2005, you were serving in the United States Marine Corps—likely with Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines (Echo 2/10), an artillery unit based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. This was during a high-operational-tempo period for 2/10: the battalion had recently returned from or was preparing for Iraq deployments (OIF rotations were peaking), and Echo Battery would have been focused on howitzer crews, live-fire training, and maintaining combat readiness. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is one of the most sacred traditions—formal dress blues, cake-cutting ceremony, reading of the Marine Corps history, and toasts to fallen brothers. In 2005 (the 230th), units across the Corps held balls worldwide. You attended your unit’s event—likely at Lejeune’s main ballroom or a nearby venue—with your fellow Marines from Echo 2/10. Coins like this were handed out as keepsakes: perhaps by the commanding officer during the ceremony, as part of a raffle, or simply passed around the tables.