U.S. Mint Announces Commemorative Coins For NPS Centennial

The National Park Service has announced commemorative coins in honor of next year’s centennial—with one coin featuring Yellowstone National Park.

Under Public Law 113-291, the NPS is offering three coins for purchase: $5 gold, $1 silver, and half dollar clad coins. The coins were unveiled at the Department of the Interior by Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios, along with NPS Director Jonathan B. Jarvis and National Park Foundation President/Chief Executive Officer Will Shafroth. From a U.S. Mint press release:

“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. “The coins will be a fun centennial collectible, and the proceeds will contribute to our second century of service to the American people.”

All revenue from the National Park Service Commemorative Coins will go toward the NPF, which in turn will reinvest it in the NPS. Pricing is as follows: $35 for a $5 gold coin, $10 for a $1 silver coin, and $5 for every half dollar clad coin. “When fully realized, the potential impact derived from the commemorative coin sales will be tremendous,” said Shafroth at the unveiling. “The funds will improve trails, introduce more young people to the parks, and connect our citizens to the history and culture of our nation.”

Yellowstone National Park will be featured on the obverse (heads) of the $1 silver coin, with the design centering on Old Faithful mid-eruption, with a bison in the forefront. The front will bear the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CENTENNIAL,” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “1916-2016.” United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna designed the front.

The back of the coin, meanwhile, will feature a Latina Folklórico dancer and the NPS logo, featuring the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” E PURIBUS UNUM,” “$1,” “HERITAGE,” “CULTURE,” and “PRIDE.” This design was created by Artistic Infusion Program artist Chris Costello with sculpting done by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

The gold coin, meanwhile, will showcase John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt standing in profile against Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome, with the NPS logon on the back. The clad half dollar coin will feature a hiker and child exploring the wilderness, with the NPS logo on the back. You can see the proposed designs here. From the U.S. Mint press release:

“The Centennial commemorative coin serves as a lasting tribute to 100 years of the National Park Service – ‘America’s Best Idea’,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. “Whether these coins are kept in a safe place at home or given as a gift to the next generation, they serve as a lasting reminder that our nation is blessed with unique natural, cultural and historical treasures. Proceeds from these coins will ensure that our nation’s rich stories and spectacular natural places will thrive in their second century and beyond.”

There is no release date for the NPS commemorative coins yet, but the U.S. Mint is expected to release availability and more pricing information before 2016. You can learn more about what to expect during the National Park Service Centennial here.