Firsts in Presidential Transportation Collection

Presidential UH-34 White Top HMX-1 Helicopter Coin

Limited to 500 Exclusive Presidential Transportation History Collection

A New Commemorative Coin in this Unique Historic Moments Collection will be Announced Soon! Presently, four commemorative coins in this series are currently available to order with shipping within 24-48 hours.

Dwight David Eisenhower
Presidential Aircraft: HMX-1
Piloted By: Colonel Virgil D. Olson

Marine Helicopter Squadron One
September 7th 1957

*Limited Edition
*Edge Numbered
*Includes a Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
* Velvet Presentation Case with Outer Two-Piece Box & Presidential Seal




From Eisenhower to the 46th President of the United Staes:
The Fascinating History of the Presidential 'White Top' Helicopter

Article by Anthony F. Giannini, CEO, Series Creator & Chief Designer

As Seen in Global News

The use of helicopters for presidential transport began with the establishment of Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) on December 1, 1947. However, it wasn’t until July 12, 1957, that President Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first sitting U.S. president to use a helicopter for official transport. The helicopter, commonly referred to as the "White Top" due to its distinctive white upper fuselage, was a Sikorsky UH-34 Seahorse, selected for its safety and efficiency. Eisenhower used the helicopter to travel from the White House to his summer retreat in Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of presidential helicopter transport as a regular feature of modern presidencies.

Since Eisenhower, every subsequent U.S. president has used the "White Top" as part of the HMX-1 squadron’s fleet, with updated models over the years. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden have all flown aboard newer versions of the presidential helicopter, including the Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King and VH-60N "WhiteHawk." Each of these aircraft bore the same white and green livery that symbolized the high-security and prestige associated with presidential air transport.

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Only Available at The White House Gift Shop, Est.1946

The White House Gift Shop, established in 1946, is a historic and iconic institution. As the official and exclusive holder of United States Patent and Trademark Office rights to its name and variations, the shop provides unique gifts and collectibles designed for former U.S. Presidents, American embassies, government agencies, film and television studios, and patriotic citizens worldwide. Proudly privately endowed, the White House Gift Shop continues to serve as the "only original official" source for timeless mementos that celebrate America's legacy and the friendships it inspires across the globe.