U.S. Mint Opens Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin Design Competition

The United States Mint is now accepting applications from artists to compete in designing the obverse (heads side) of 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coins.

The competition invites artists to design an image that is emblematic of the United States Space Program leading up to the first manned Moon landing.

"The success of the crew and the team behind Apollo 11 nearly 50 years ago holds special meaning to Americans," said David Motl, Acting Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Mint. "The Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin Design Competition presents a unique way for artists to capture the sense of pride for such an enormous accomplishment, while also memorializing fallen astronauts."

For the first time in recent history, the 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program calls for four coins instead of the typical three. Strikes will include $5 gold coins, silver dollars, clad half-dollars, and 5 ounce $1 silver coins. These coins will share the same obverse and reverse designs, and will be curved in shape similar to the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Baseball Coins.

Congress authorized the coins and design competition with the passage of the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 114-282).

U.S citizens and permanent residents who have experience or interest in visual arts, illustration or sculpting and who are at least 18 years of age are encouraged to enter the competition through June 29, 2017, or until 1,000 entries are received.

From the artist entries, an expert jury will select no more than 20 applicants to participate in Phase Two. Selected artists for the second phase must create an original design, and submit it as a digital file.

An expert jury composed of members of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts will review and score design submissions. The jury will choose a design to recommend to the Secretary of the Treasury for selection. The winning artist will receive $5,000 and his or her initials will be placed on the coins.

Coin reverses will depict the 1969 "Buzz Aldrin on the Moon" photograph, showing just a part of Aldrin’s helmet to include his visor and its reflection of astronaut Neil Armstrong, the United States flag, and the lunar lander. The U.S. Mint will develop this design, as it is not part of the competition.

For more information, official rules and FAQ’s, the United States Mint has a webpage devoted to the design competition.