July 3rd, 2011 — Coin News
On June 8th, 2011, House Resolution H.R. 2139 was introduced into the 112th Congress, requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service club organization. It was founded in 1917 by Chicago business leader Melvin Jones, and empowers volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
The bill specifies that not more than 400,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Lions Clubs International, each of which shall weigh 26.73 grams, have a diameter of one-and-one-half inches, and be made from the standard 90 percent silver / 10 percent copper alloy.
The bill also states that the design of the coins shall be emblematic of the centennial of the Lions Clubs International, and include a designation of the value of the coin, the year of its minting, 2017, and the inscriptions of the words "Liberty'', "In God We Trust'', "United States of America'', and "E Pluribus Unum''.
A surcharge of $10 per coin will be added to the final price, which will be paid to the Lions Clubs International Foundation to assist in furthering its programs for the blind and visually impaired in the United States and abroad, investing in adaptive technologies for the disabled and investing in youth and those affected by a major disaster.
The bill was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, where it will be voted on, and if passed there, be sent to the full House for approval. A comparable bill will need to be introduced in the Senate, and if both bills pass their respective chambers, after which it would be presented to the President for signature into law.
October 1st, 2010 — Coin News
The US Mint has revealed the designs for the upcoming 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins. This will be one of two programs for next year, the other one featuring the United States Army.
The Medal of Honor is America's highest award for valor in action against an enemy force. It was first authorized in 1861, making next year the 150th anniversary. Coins will include $5 face value gold coins and $1 face value silver coins.
The design for the Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coin will feature an image of the original medal with the dual dates 1861 and 2011. The reverse will feature a full figure rendition of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and war. She carries American symbols of the union shield and union flag, with cannons and munitions circa the Civil War era behind.
The obverse was designed and sculpted by Joseph Menna. The reverse was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso.
The Medal of Honor Silver Dollar will highlight the modern versions of the medals for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. They all appear together to represent the joint mature of modern era warfare. The reverse features an infantry soldier carrying a wounded comrade to safety under enemy fire. This represents the bravery and selfless sacrifice of recipients of the award.
The obverse was designed and sculpted by Jim Licaretz, while the reverse was designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
March 29th, 2010 — Coin Series
The United States Mint began sales of the 2010 Boy Scouts Silver Dollars on March 23, 2010. This represents the second of two commemorative coin programs for the year, the other was the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollars released on February 25, 2010.
The current program commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Silver Dollars are available in proof or uncirculated versions, both produced at the Philadelphia Mint. The maximum authorized mintage is 350,000 coins across both versions.
The design for the Boy Scouts coin has been a point of contention for many. A Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and female Venturer are depicted saluting. The theme is intended to represent the evolution of the organization to encompass all of the youth of America, i.e. not just boys. This theme seems to have been preferred by the Boy Scouts organization over an alternate theme, which would have highlighted the continuity of the Boy Scouts from 1910 to today.
For the introductory sales period, the proof version of the coin is priced at $39.95 and the uncirculated version is priced at $33.95.
February 26th, 2010 — Coin News
The US Mint began sales of the first commemorative coin program of the year on February 25, 2010. The coins are issued to honor the service of disabled veterans who survived the ordeals of war and made enormous personal sacrifices to defend the principles of democracy.
The 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollars are issued in proof and uncirculaed versions, both produced at the West Point Mint. There is a maximum authorized mintage of 350,000 coins across both options.
The obverse of the coin features the legs and boots of verans, with one visibly on crutches. An inscription on a ribbon above reads "They Stood Up for Us". The reverse of the coin features a wreath oak branches with a forget me not flower at the base. A central inscriptions reads "Take This Moment to Honor Our Disabled Defenders of Freedom".
While I will purchase a pair of these coins for my collection, I would have liked to see a different obverse design. A similar legs and shoes theme was recently used on the Little Rock Silver Dollar just three years ago.
January 5th, 2010 — Coin Series
The second commemorative coin program of 2010 will be issued for American Veterans who became disabled for life. Their enormous personal sacrifices made for their country will be honored with a silver dollar commemorative coin.
The 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar has an obverse design which features the legs and boots of three veterans. One is noticeably on crutches. An inscription above reads "They Stood Up for Us". The reverse of the coin features a wreath of oak leaves and branches with a forget me not flower at the base. The central inscription reads "Take this moment to honor our disabled defenders of freedom."
The 90% silver dollar coins will be issued in a maximum quantity of 350,000. A surcharge added to the cost of the coins will be for the construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington DC. The coins are expected to go on sale at the US Min in February 2010.
