Office of Strategic Services Receives Congressional Gold Medal

Mar 21, 2018 | News, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) received a Congressional Gold Medal today during a ceremony in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol. The medal, conferred collectively, recognizes the members of the OSS for their superior service and major contributions during World War II.

The OSS was America’s first effort to implement a system of strategic intelligence during World War II and provided the basis for the modern-day American intelligence and special operations communities. Present day Special Operations Forces trace their lineage to the OSS. The CIA, the Navy SEALs, the Army Special Forces, and the Air Force Special Operations Command all have their precursors in the OSS. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research also traces its creation to the OSS Research and Analysis Branch.

The OSS was composed of both military personnel and civilians. Women comprised more than one-third of the OSS personnel. Many of America’s leading scientists and scholars served in the OSS. The OSS organized, trained, supplied, and fought with resistance organizations throughout Europe and Asia. They conducted covert operations and reconnaissance; pioneered new technology, including the Lambertsen Amphibious Respiratory Unit (LARU), which was the precursor to current SCUBA technology; and developed innovative counterintelligence actions that provided vital information during World War II.

The United States Mint sculpted and manufactured the Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal. Its obverse (heads) features the inscription “OSS” revealing three figures – a woman, a paratrooper, and a man in a suit – that represent the broad range of work undertaken by the OSS. Each figure is rendered as a shape without details, hinting at the way OSS agents sought to operate anonymously. The diversity in the OSS is also reflected by the figures, conveying that OSS members were men and women, civilian and military. The design also features the dates “1942-1945,” the years during which the OSS operated. United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Emily Damstra created the design, which United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon sculpted.

The medal’s reverse (tails), also designed by Damstra, features the OSS Spearhead inscribed with code words related to important OSS missions and agents. United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna sculpted the design.

The public law that awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the OSS also authorizes the United States Mint to strike and sell bronze reproductions of the medal. The three-inch medal (18MB), priced at $39.95, and the 1.5-inch medal (18MA), priced at $6.95, will be available for purchase on March 21, 2018, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time through the Mint’s online catalog at www.catalog.usmint.gov/ and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468).

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the nation’s highest civilian awards and is bestowed by Congress as an expression of gratitude for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, groups, or institutions..

2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Program

Mar 15, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

SUPPORT RESEARCH. SAVE LIVES.

The United States Mint is proud to introduce the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Program and its role in funding treatment advances and finding a cure. This 3-coin program includes a clad half dollar, a silver dollar and a $5 gold coin with a pink hue, marking the first time the United States Mint has produced a coin of this composition.

All three coins share common designs. The obverse design features two women. The older woman has her hands on her chest and a relieved expression on her face. The younger woman, with a scarf on her head, holds one hand over her chest and the other raised in a fist as if she is ready to fight. A butterfly flies above the two women. The reverse depicts a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in flight, a symbol of hope.

Purchase the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative coins to support advancements in the world’s most promising research and take advantage of introductory pricing through April 16, 2018 at 3 p.m. ET!

The Mint will limit orders for the $5 gold coins to one per household per product option, across all sales channels, including bulk purchases, for the first 24 hours of sales. The Mint will remove the limit Friday, March 16 at noon ET.

Research Saves Lives →

United States Mint Begins Sales of Kennedy Half Dollar Product Options on March 20

Mar 14, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for collectible bags and rolls of 2018 Kennedy Half Dollar coins on March 20 at noon Eastern Time (ET).

Available product options and their prices are as follows:

PRODUCT CODE PRODUCT OPTION MINT MARK PRICE
18KA 200-Coin Bag P and D $139.95
18KB Two-Roll Set P and D $32.95

All product options contain circulating finish Kennedy Half Dollars from the Denver Mint and the Philadelphia Mint facilities that have not been placed in circulation. The coin rolls are wrapped in United States Mint paper coin wrap marked with a “P” or “D” for the mint of origin and “$10” for the face value. Each bag is marked with a “P” and “D” for the mint of origin and “$100” for the face value of the contents.

The obverse (heads) of the Kennedy Half Dollar features the original 1964 design of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2018.” The reverse (tails) design is based on the Presidential seal and consists of a heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast holding a symbolic olive branch and a bundle of 13 arrows. A ring of 50 stars surrounds the design with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “HALF DOLLAR.”

The Mint accepts orders through its online catalog at catalog.usmint.gov/ and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.

The bags and rolls of Kennedy Half Dollars are also available for purchase through the Mint’s Product Enrollment Program. Learn more about this convenient ordering method at catalog.usmint.gov/shop/product-enrollments/.

United States Mint Updates its Numismatic Customer Return Policy

Mar 13, 2018 | News, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) announces an update to its Numismatic Customer Return Policy to address the issue of excessive returns.

For many years, the United States Mint has been pleased to offer customers the option of returning any Mint product for exchange or refund within seven days of purchase for any reason and without restriction. A review of customer data indicates that the current unrestricted return policy facilitates the practice of excessive returns, which results in significant additional costs to the Mint.

Effective immediately, the Mint reserves the right to limit or refuse returns from purchasers who demonstrate return rates that exceed two percent. This update does not apply to valid issues of product quality. The Mint will advise in writing customers engaging in the practice of excessive returns with a “first notice” and ask them to review their order history and consider making changes to their purchase practices based on the updated return policy.

The Mint will send customers who continue to either return products for refund or exchange above the normal rate a “second notice” advising that the Mint will no longer accept returns from their account. A continued pattern of excessive returns will result in suspension of the customer’s account. Under the modified policy, the Mint reserves the right to charge a fee for excessive returns, but does not plan to implement such a fee at this time.

This minor change will only affect a small percentage of customers. More importantly, it will ensure that the Mint can continue to offer an exceptionally generous return policy with no impact to the vast majority of customers.

United States Mint Set to Release Coins Recognizing the Fight Against Breast Cancer on March 15

Mar 8, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for product options in the 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Program beginning on March 15 at noon Eastern Time (ET).

Public Law 114-148—the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act—authorizes this three-coin program in recognition of America’s fight against breast cancer. The program includes a clad coin, a silver coin, and the Nation’s first-ever gold coin with a pink hue.

The table below lists available product options and their prices. Each option comes with the Mint’s customary Certificate of Authenticity.

PRODUCT CODE PRODUCT OPTION INTRODUCTORY PRICE REGULAR PRICE
18CE Proof $5 Gold Coin See pricing grid See pricing grid
18CF Uncirculated $5 Gold Coin See pricing grid See pricing grid
18CG Proof Silver Dollar $51.95 $56.95
18CH Uncirculated Silver Dollar $48.95 $53.95
18CJ Proof Clad Half Dollar $27.95 $32.95
18CK Uncirculated Clad Half Dollar $25.95 $30.95

The introductory sales period ends on April 16, 2018, at 3 p.m. ET. At that time, regular pricing will take effect.

The Mint prices gold product options according to the range in which they appear on the Mint’s “2018 Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum Products” table, available here.

Coin prices include surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin, and $5 for each half dollar coin. The Mint is authorized to distribute the surcharges—in accordance with the law—to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to further its efforts in breast cancer research.

Public law authorizes the Mint to strike and issue up to 50,000 gold coins, 400,000 silver dollar coins, and 750,000 half dollar coins in proof and uncirculated qualities. Customer demand will determine the ratio of proof to uncirculated coins minted within the authorized mintage limits.

In October 2018, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Mint will offer a coin and stamp set featuring the Breast Cancer Awareness Proof Half Dollar and a Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp from the U.S. Postal Service. This product option will be limited to 25,000 units.

The Mint will accept orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468), while hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.

The Mint will limit orders for the gold coins to one per household per product option, across all sales channels, including bulk purchases, for the first 24 hours of sales. The Mint will remove the limit at the end of the 24-hour sales period.

Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Emily Damstra won the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Design Competition. Her obverse (heads) and reverse (tails) designs are depicted on all coins in this program. Damstra’s obverse design features two women. The older woman has her hands on her chest and a relieved expression on her face. The younger woman, with a scarf on her head, holds one hand over her chest and the other raised in a fist as if she is ready to fight. A butterfly flies above the two women. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “2018,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

Damstra’s reverse design features a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in flight, a symbol of hope. Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “BREAST CANCER AWARENESS,” and the respective denomination of each coin: “FIVE DOLLARS” for the pink-hued gold coin, “ONE DOLLAR” for the silver coin, and “HALF DOLLAR” for the clad coin.

United States Mint to Release Annual Proof Coin Set on March 6

Feb 27, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The 2018 United States Mint Proof Set (product code 18RG) will be available for purchase beginning on March 6 at noon Eastern Time (ET).

Priced at $27.95, this year’s set includes the following coins from the San Francisco Mint:

  • Five America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coins honoring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan); Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin); Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota); Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia); and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge (Rhode Island).
  • One Native American $1 Coin with a reverse design featuring a likeness of Jim Thorpe, while the foreground highlights his achievements in football and as an Olympian. Inscriptions include “JIM THORPE,” “WA-THO-HUK” (which is Thorpe’s native name), “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “$1.” The obverse design of the Native American $1 Coin continues to feature the central figure “Sacagawea” carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” while the year, mint mark, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are incused on the coin’s edge.
  • One Kennedy half dollar
  • One Roosevelt dime
  • One Jefferson nickel and
  • One Lincoln penny.

The coins are sealed in two protective lenses to accentuate and maintain their exceptional quality. The lenses are packaged in a decorative carton that features an image of the Washington Monument at sunrise on the front. The back of the carton displays images of each America the Beautiful Quarters national site honored in 2018 (along with the year in which it was first established as a national site, its name, and the host jurisdiction), and the partial obverses of the remaining coins. A Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each set.

Customers may place orders at catalog.usmint.gov and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.

The United States Mint Proof Set can also be purchased through the Product Enrollment Program. Visit catalog.usmint.gov/shop/product-enrollments/ to learn more about this convenient ordering method.

Image courtesy of the U.S. Mint.

Sales Open for 2018 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins on March 1

Feb 23, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for 2018 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins on March 1 at noon Eastern Time (ET).

The American Eagle Gold Proof Coins are the collector versions of the Mint’s American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins. Launched in 1986, these 22-karat gold coins display the “W” mint mark of the West Point Mint where they are produced. The coins’ obverse (heads) design features a version of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The reverse design (tails), by sculptor Miley Busiek, features a male eagle carrying an olive branch while flying above a nest containing a female eagle and eaglets.

Highlights of this year’s coin release include new packaging and the implementation of product and household order limits.

New Packaging

Beginning this year, the Mint will now package individual coins and the four-coin sets in a satin-lined burgundy velvet presentation case, housed inside a burgundy outer box. All options include the customary Certificate of Authenticity.

Product Limits

The Mint established product limits for each coin option, which are in the table below:

PRODUCT CODE PRODUCT OPTION PRODUCT LIMIT
18EB One Ounce Coin 25,000
18EC One-Half Ounce Coin 7,100
18ED One-Quarter Ounce Coin 7,100
18EE One-Tenth Ounce Coin 22,000
18EF Four-Coin Set 18,000

Household Order Limit

The Mint will limit orders to one per household per product option, across all sales channels, including bulk purchases for the first 24 hours of sales, after which the Mint will remove the limit.

The American Eagle Gold Proof Coins are priced according to the range in which they appear on the Mint’s “2018 Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum Products” table, available here.

Customers may place orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.

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