Designs for the 2016 National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coins were unveiled Thursday, Nov. 19, during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, DC.
These United States Mint coins will be offered in gold, silver, and clad compositions, and they will be available in collector qualities of proof and uncirculated. Their launch in 2016 will feature designs emblematic of the centennial of the National Park Service (NPS).
On hand for the ceremony were Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios, National Park Foundation (NPF) President and Chief Executive Officer Will Shafroth, and NPS Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.
"Heads or tails, this Centennial commemorative coin helps to honor the National Park Service’s first century of service to protect, preserve, and share some of our nation’s greatest natural resources, culture, and history," said Jarvis.
Established in 1916, the NPS (www.nps.gov) is an agency of the Department of the Interior, and it is tasked with managing and safeguarding more than 400 national parks throughout the United States and its territories.
Authorized by Public Law 113-291, the U.S. Mint in 2016 will strike and sell up to 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 silver dollars and 750,000 clad half-dollars. Respective surcharges of $35, $10 and $5 are to be included in the price of each.
"The coins will be a fun centennial collectible, and the proceeds will contribute to our second century of service to the American people," Jarvis added.
The funds are to be used for projects that help preserve and protect resources under the stewardship of the NPS and promote public enjoyment and appreciation of these resources. They may not be used for land acquisitions.
Coin prices, release dates and possible set options will be revealed at a later date.
2016 $5 National Park Service Commemorative Gold Coin Designs
The $5 gold coin obverse (heads side) features 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 it.
The $5 gold coin reverse (tails side) features the NPS logo, with the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and $5. Everhart also designed and sculpted the reverse.
2016 National Park Service Silver Dollar Designs
The silver dollar 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 1916-2016. United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna designed and sculpted it.
The silver dollar reverse depicts a Latina Folklórico dancer and the NPS 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 (AIP) artist Chris Costello and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.
2016 National Park Service Half-Dollar Designs
The clad half-dollar obverse features a hiker discovering the majesty of the wilderness and a small child discovering a frog hiding in ferns, which celebrates the diversity and breadth of the NPS. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, 2016, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1916, and NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. The obverse was designed by AIP artist Barbara Fox and will be sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.
The clad half-dollar reverse features the NPS logo, with the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, HALF DOLLAR, STEWARDSHIP, and RECREATION. The reverse was designed by AIP artist Thomas Hipschen and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.
