US Mint - The United States Mint will soon be offering the Lions Clubs International Centennial Silver Dollar. Public Law 112-181 authorizes the Mint to strike and issue up to 400,000 silver dollar coins with designs emblematic of the Lions Clubs International centennial.
On June 7, 2017, Lions Clubs International will celebrate 100 years of community service to men, women and children worldwide. Since its founding, it has become one of the world's largest organizations of its kind. Its 1.4 million members in more than 47,000 clubs provide humanitarian services in more than 200 countries.
The coin's obverse (heads) features a portrait of founder Melvin Jones paired with the Lions Clubs International logo. Inscriptions are "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "MELVIN JONES," "FOUNDER," and "2017." The obverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer
Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver
Joseph Menna.
The reverse (tails) depicts a male and female lion with a lion cub superimposed over a globe. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "$1," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE."
The reverse was designed by AIP Designer Patricia Lucas-Morris and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver
Don Everhart.
"It's a great design," said Everhart. "I've sculpted a lot of animals on coins and medals, and I like the nature aspect of it."
The U.S. Mint hosted a ceremonial strike event at its Philadelphia facility on November 9, 2016. Mint sculptor-engraver
Joe Menna was in attendance.
"It was the first time in my 11 years at the Mint that I was able to attend a strike ceremony," said Menna. "I got to see the coin produced for the first time and I got to play a small part in the moment in history. It was an honor."
U.S. Mint Principal Deputy Director Rhett Jeppson was joined by James Franklin Moore, III, Chairperson of the Lions Clubs International Centennial Committee.
Moore, who struck the first proof silver dollar coin during the ceremony, remarked: "Lions Clubs International is honored to be among a relatively few organizations to be included in the United States Mint Commemorative Coin program. This is a wonderful way to mark our 100 years of global humanitarian service."
"The United States Mint is proud to honor one of the most well-known and highly regarded service organizations," said Jeppson. "Service is a core value of the Mint, and the Lions Clubs is one of the best examples of service not only here in the United States, but across the world."
The coins will be available for sale on January 18 at 12 noon (EST). The price of each Lions Clubs International Centennial Silver Dollar will include a $10 surcharge that is authorized to be paid to the Lions Clubs International Foundation to further its programs for the blind and visually impaired in the United States and abroad; invest in adaptive technologies for the disabled; and invest in youth and those affected by a major disaster.
Posted 01/14/2017 11:15 am
