Potential for millions of dollars in national park support
By National Park Foundation ……
The National Park Foundation, the National Park Service, and the United States Mint announced today that limited-edition coins honoring the National Park Service Centennial are now available for purchase online at catalog.usmint.gov/coins/commemoratives and today only at National Mall and Memorial Parks near the Lincoln Memorial. The coins will be available at participating park locations across the National Park System later this year and have the potential to raise millions of dollars in support for America’s national parks.
“These coins – mementos today and heirlooms tomorrow – celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service,” said National Park Service Deputy Director Peggy O’Dell. “Their purchase will help support vital park programs and contribute to the centennial legacy.”
The commemorative coins honor the National Park Service’s first century of service protecting, preserving, and sharing some of our nation’s greatest natural, historical, and cultural resources. In addition to being a unique centennial collectible, all coin surcharges are authorized to be paid to the National Park Foundation to support projects that help preserve and protect resources under the stewardship of the National Park Service and promote public enjoyment and appreciation of these resources.
National Park Foundation President Will Shafroth added, “The coin program is yet another example of a successful public-private partnership that has the ability to make long-lasting and meaningful impacts across our park community as we continue our efforts to protect America’s treasured places, connect people from all backgrounds to them, and inspire the next generation of park stewards.”
The coins can be purchased from the United States Mint at the following introductory prices until 3 p.m. ET on April 25, 2016. Regular prices will be in effect after 3 p.m. on April 25, 2016. All prices include a surcharge associated with the sale of each coin, which is authorized to be paid to the National Park Foundation:
- GOLD: $395.45 for uncirculated version; $400.45 for proof version (the price for gold coins is subject to change due to variability of pricing on the precious metal markets)
- SILVER: $44.95 for uncirculated version; $45.95 for proof version
- CLAD: $20.95 for uncirculated version; $21.95 for proof version
There will also be a limited amount of coin sets which include all three coins. No more than 15,000 three-coin sets will be produced. There is a household order limit of two units with this set.
The gold coin obverse features naturalist, writer, and conservationist John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt with Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome in the background. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “2016,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart designed and sculpted the obverse.
The gold coin reverse features the National Park Service logo, with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “$5.” Everhart also designed and sculpted the reverse.
The silver coin obverse features Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful geyser and a bison, with the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CENTENNIAL,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1916,” and “2016.” United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna designed and sculpted the obverse.
The silver coin reverse depicts a Latina Folklórico dancer and the National Park Service logo, representing the multi-faceted cultural experience found in America’s national parks. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “$1,” “HERITAGE,” “CULTURE,” and “PRIDE.” The reverse was designed by Artistic Infusion Program artist Chris Costello and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.
The clad half dollar obverse features a hiker discovering the majesty of the wilderness and a small child discovering a frog hiding in ferns, celebrating the diversity and breadth of the National Park Service. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “2016,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “1916,” and “NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.” The reverse was designed by Artistic Infusion Program artist Barbara Fox and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.
The clad half dollar reverse features the National Park Service logo, with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “HALF DOLLAR,” “STEWARDSHIP,” and “RECREATION.” The reverse was designed by Artistic Infusion Program artist Thomas Hipschen and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.
The coins are great examples of the countless ways there are to #FindYourPark. Launched in March 2015, Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque is a public awareness and education movement to inspire people from all backgrounds to connect with, celebrate, and support America’s national parks and community-based programs. Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial and setting the stage for the Service’s next 100 years, #FindYourPark invites people to discover and share their own unique connections to our nation’s natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 410 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks, a $350 million comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.
National Park Service – Elizabeth Stern: (202) 219-8933, [email protected]
National Park Foundation – Alanna Sobel: (202) 796-2538, [email protected]
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U.S. Mint Opens Sales for National Park Service Commemorative Coins on National Mall
By United States Mint …..
WHAT:
The United States Mint, National Park Foundation and National Park Service will open sales for the 2016 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service Commemorative Coin Program at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.
WHEN:
Thursday, March 24, 2016, noon – 1 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Lincoln Memorial at National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington D.C.
WHO:
- National Park Foundation President Will Shafroth
- National Park Service Deputy Director Peggy O’Dell
- United States Mint Principal Deputy Director Rhett Jeppson
WHY:
Public Law 113-291 authorizes the United States Mint to strike and issue 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins and 750,000 half dollar clad coins to commemorate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. Surcharges are authorized to be paid to the National Park Foundation to support projects that help preserve and protect resources under the stewardship of the National Park Service and promote public enjoyment and appreciation of these resources
About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.
The United States Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. The United States Mint’s numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.
