WASHINGTON – The United States Mint today announced a call for artists to design the obverse (heads side) of the commemorative coin honoring the first manned moon landing. Authorized by law, the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program celebrates the innovation and bravery of the successful mission and the fallen astronauts who preceded that endeavor. The competition invites artists to design a common obverse image that is emblematic of the United States Space Program leading up to the first manned Moon landing. The winning artist will receive $5,000 and have his or her initials included on the coins. Competition details and entry can be accessed at https://www.usmint.gov/news/design-competitions/apollo-11.
“The success of the crew and the team behind Apollo 11 nearly 50 years ago holds special meaning to Americans,” said David Motl, Acting Principal Deputy Director of the United States Mint. “The Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin Design Competition presents a unique way for artists to capture the sense of pride for such an enormous accomplishment, while also memorializing fallen astronauts.”
Artist’s conception of the common reverse for the 2019 Apollo 11 commemorative coin program.
Phase One of the competition, which is open through June 29, 2017, or until 1,000 entries are received, calls for artists age 18 and older to submit portfolios of their prior work. From these entries, an expert jury will select no more than 20 applicants to participate in Phase Two. During Phase Two, artists will create an original design for the common obverse of the coin, which shall be submitted as a digital file. The final winner will be announced in 2018. As authorized by law, the common reverse (tails side) will depict a representation of a close-up of the famous ”Buzz Aldrin on the Moon” photograph taken July 20, 1969, which shows the visor and part of the helmet of the famed astronaut.
An expert jury composed of members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee will review and score design submissions. Both groups provide experienced and impartial expertise in advancing the state of public art and the interests of American citizens and coin collectors. The jury will choose a winning design to recommend the Secretary of the Treasury for selection. With the winning design selected, the United States Mint will begin issuing curved gold, silver, clad, and five ounce silver commemorative coins in 2019. Surcharges for this program are authorized to be paid in various denominations to three recipient organizations: the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum’s ”Destination Moon” exhibit, the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
For the first time in recent history, this commemorative coin program will be composed of four coins instead of three, including $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, half-dollar clad coins, and five ounce silver proof coins. This will be the first time that a curved version of a five ounce silver coin is produced and offered by the United States Mint.
“The Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program represents a meaningful and exciting undertaking for the United States Mint,” said Motl. “We look forward to the public’s participation in creating the final obverse design.”
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for the 2017 America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin-Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (product code 17AK) on May 2 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
The reverse (tails) design depicts Frederick Douglass seated at a writing desk with his home in Washington, D.C., in the background. Inscriptions are “FREDERICK DOUGLASS,” “DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,” “2017,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The obverse (heads) features a 1932 restored portrait of George Washington.
Made of .999 fine silver at the Philadelphia Mint, America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins are unique in that they are three inches in diameter. These legal tender coins are encapsulated and placed in an attractive presentation case with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Pricing for the America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin-Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is set at $149.95. As with all products sold by the United States Mint containing precious metals, this price is subject to change.
The current authorized mintage limit for both numismatic and bullion 2017 America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Coins for the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is 150,000 units. An announced maximum potential mintage limit of 25,000 coins has been set for the America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin-Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. However, based on demand, the United States Mint may mint and issue more than 125,000 America the Beautiful Five Ounce Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Silver Bullion Coins so long as it does not exceed the 150,000 coin limit.
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will open sales for the 2017 America the Beautiful Quarters Three-Coin Set™-Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (product code 17AE) on April 24 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
The reverse (tails) design of each quarter depicts Frederick Douglass seated at a writing desk with his home in Washington, DC in the background. Inscriptions are “FREDERICK DOUGLASS,” “DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,” “2017,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The obverse (heads) design features the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan.
Priced at $9.95, this set contains one uncirculated quarter from the Philadelphia Mint, one uncirculated quarter from the Denver Mint, and one proof quarter from the San Francisco Mint. The coins are held in a durable plastic card with an image of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. A Certificate of Authenticity is printed on the back of the card.
The America the Beautiful Quarters Three-Coin Sets can also be purchased through the United States Mint Product Enrollment Program. For more information about this program, please visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/root/enrollment.html.
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will open sales for the 2017 America the Beautiful Quarters Uncirculated Coin Set (product code 17AA) on April 10 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
The set contains 10 uncirculated quarters–five from the Philadelphia Mint and five from the Denver Mint–with reverse designs honoring Effigy Mounds National Monument (Iowa), Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Washington, DC), Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Missouri), Ellis Island (Statue of Liberty National Monument) (New Jersey), and George Rogers Clark National Historical Park (Indiana).
The America the Beautiful Quarters Uncirculated Coin Set is also available for purchase through the United States Mint Product Enrollment Program. For additional information about this convenient ordering method, please review the FAQs at https://catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/faqs/.
New quarter celebrates site of abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass’ historic home
WASHINGTON, DC – Officials from the United States Mint (Mint) and the National Park Service (NPS) today celebrated the release of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program coin honoring the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, DC.
The coin’s reverse (tails) design depicts Frederick Douglass seated at a writing desk with his home in Washington, DC in the background. Inscriptions are “FREDERICK DOUGLASS,” “DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,” “2017,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The coin was designed by Thomas Hipschen, Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist.
“Even at a young age, Frederick Douglass realized the value of literacy and the power of knowledge,” said David Motl, Acting Principal Deputy Director at the Mint. “This new coin honors one of the most influential African-American leaders of the 19th century, whose brilliant words will continue to inspire us for generations to come. My favorite among the many great quotes of Frederick Douglass is ‘man’s greatness consists in his ability to do and the proper application of his powers to things needed to be done.’ ”
Motl was joined by NPS Acting Director Mike Reynolds; Frederick Douglass National Historic Site superintendent Tara D. Morrison; and Tristan Breaux, District Director for Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Ceremony highlights included recitations of Frederick Douglass speeches by Maryland area homeschooled students Gabrielle Sutherland and Silas Montgomery, winners in the 2016 Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest; and entertainment by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices, a local ensemble that performs Civil War-era music. Hipschen was acknowledged for his work on the coin.
Authorized by Public Law 110-456, the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program is a 12-year initiative to honor 56 national parks and other national sites. Each year through 2020, the public will see five new national sites depicted on the reverses (tails) of the America the Beautiful Quarters coins issued in the order in which the sites were first established. The Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site coin will complete the program when released in 2021.
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will accept orders for the 2017 Congratulations Set (product code 17RF) starting on April 4 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
Priced at $54.95, this set features for the first time ever an American Eagle One Ounce Silver Proof Coin bearing the “S” mint mark of the San Francisco Mint. The coin is encapsulated and mounted in an attractive presentation folder adorned with black, gold, and silver ribbon curls to add a festive and elegant flair. A Certificate of Authenticity is printed on the back of the folder, while coin specifications are printed on the back of the sleeve. The Product Limit is 75,000. Later this year, the American Eagle One Ounce Silver Proof Coin with the “S” mint mark from the San Francisco Mint will be available as part of the 2017 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set.
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for rolls and bags of America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coins honoring the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in the District of Columbia starting on April 3 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
The coin’s reverse (tails) design depicts Frederick Douglass seated at a writing desk with his home in Washington, D.C., in the background. Inscriptions are “FREDERICK DOUGLASS,” “DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,” “2017,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Its obverse (heads) design features the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan.
Product options and their prices are as follows:
PRODUCT CODE
PRODUCT OPTION
MINT MARK
PRICE
17ABD
100-Coin Bag
P
$34.95
17ABE
100-Coin Bag
D
$34.95
17ABF
100-Coin Bag
S
$34.95
17ARD
Two-Roll Set
P and D
$32.95
17ARE
40-Coin Roll
S
$18.95
17ARF
Three-Roll Set
P, D, and S
$46.95
Coins in the rolls and bags are struck on the main production floors at the Philadelphia Mint, Denver Mint, and San Francisco Mint facilities. The three-roll set contains coins from all three facilities. Unlike the “P” and “D” mint mark quarters, those with the “S” mint mark will not be released into circulation.
The special numismatic wrapping for the coin rolls displays the name “Frederick Douglass National Historic Site”; the abbreviation “DC” for the District of Columbia; “$10,” the face value of its contents; and “P,” “D,” or “S” for the mint of origin. The canvas bags have a tag with “Frederick Douglass National Historic Site”; “DC”; and “P,” “D,” or “S.”
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint today announced a call for artists to design the obverse (heads side) of the commemorative coin honoring the first manned moon landing. Authorized by law, the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program celebrates the innovation and bravery of the successful mission and the fallen astronauts who preceded that endeavor. The competition invites artists to design a common obverse image that is emblematic of the United States Space Program leading up to the first manned Moon landing. The winning artist will receive $5,000 and have his or her initials included on the coins. Competition details and entry can be accessed at https://www.usmint.gov/news/design-competitions/apollo-11.
