The United States Mint invites artists from across the country to participate in the Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Design Competition. The application submission period began yesterday, March 19, and will close at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on April 15, 2019.
Public Law 115-343 authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue domed $5 gold coins, domed $1 silver coins, and domed half-dollar clad coins, in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Dedicated to the creator of the game, Dr. James Naismith, and located in Springfield, Massachusetts, where the game was first played, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is recognized on a global scale as the institution that records and shares the history of basketball, including its greatest players, coaches, and contributors.
The design for the common obverse of these commemorative coins will be selected by the Secretary based on the winning design from a public design competition. The obverse design is required to be emblematic of the game of basketball. The winning artist will receive $5,000 USD and have his or her initials included on the coins. Competition details and entry can be accessed on our website.
The public competition is being conducted in two phases.
Phase One, which will be open from March 19 – April 15, 2019, calls for artists who are United States citizens or lawful permanent residents age 18 and older to submit a digital portfolio, consisting of three to five examples of their existing work. These applications will be reviewed by an expert panel. Up to 25 applicants will be selected to participate in Phase Two.
During Phase Two, artists will be paid a stipend of $1,000 to submit a two-dimensional digital design for the common obverse of the coin which will be reviewed by subject matter experts from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). The final winner will be announced later this year.
Artist’s initials appear on the final coins or medals, along with the initials of the United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver who sculpted the selected design. Artist information is also included in historical documents, Certificates of Authenticity, and promotional materials.
Are you interested in becoming a part of history? If so, please visit www.usmint.gov/hoophallcoin where you will find program information, eligibility requirements, and detailed application guidelines. We look forward to hearing from you!
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About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by an Act of Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. The United States Mint 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 U.S. 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.
