The United States Mint published images of six coins commemorating the centennial of the National Park Service (NPS). Their designs were originally unveiled on Nov. 19, 2015 during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, DC.
Featuring portraits, emblems, and iconic landscapes, the 2016 National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coins will launch on Mar. 24, 2016 in collector proof and uncirculated finishes. Their quantities include up to 100,000 $5 gold coins; 500,000 silver dollars; and 750,000 clad half-dollars, but consumer demand will determine how many are actually made.
$5 Gold Coins
Both $5 gold coins are made at the West Point Mint and carry the ‘W’ mint mark. Below are images of the proof and uncirculated editions. Their obverse (heads side) features John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt with Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome in the background.
The $5 gold coin reverse (tails side) features the NPS logo.
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Gold Obverse |
Gold Reverse |
Silver Dollars
Both silver dollars are struck at the Philadelphia Mint and bear the ‘P’ mint mark. Below are images of the proof and uncirculated editions. Their obverses feature Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful geyser and a bison.
Their reverses depict a Latina Folklórico dancer and the NPS logo, representing the multi-faceted cultural experience found in America’s national parks.
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Silver Obverse |
Silver Reverse |
Clad Half-Dollars
Production duties are shared for the two half-dollars. Proofs are made at the San Francisco Mint and have the ‘S’ mint mark while uncirculated editions are struck at the Denver Mint and carry the ‘D’ mint mark. Below are images of the proof and uncirculated editions. Their obverses feature 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.
The clad half-dollar reverse features the NPS logo.
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Clad Obverse |
Clad Reverse |
Coin Prices
Pricing for the $5 gold coins will not be announced until shortly before they’re released. The U.S. Mint will establish those based on an average of LBMA gold prices. Introductory and regular prices for the $1 silver and 50c clad coins follow:
| Introductory Prices (approx. first 30 days) |
Regular Prices | |
|---|---|---|
| NPS Silver Proof Dollar | $45.95 | $50.95 |
| NPS Silver Uncirculated Dollar | $44.95 | $49.95 |
| NPS Proof Half-Dollar | $21.95 | $25.95 |
| NPS Uncirculated Half-Dollars | $20.95 | $24.95 |
Prices of the commemorative coins include (Public Law 113-291 mandated) surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin and $5 for each half-dollar. The law authorizes the surcharges to be paid to the National Park Foundation for projects that help preserve and protect resources under the stewardship of the NPS and promote public enjoyment and appreciation of these resources.
