This year marks the 75th anniversary of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. As a result, the United States Mint has decided to issue gold and silver coins to commemorate the special event. The National Baseball Hall of Fame coins are set to go on sale this Thursday, March 27, at noon.
The Design
This rare coin features a glove on the obverse side and a baseball on the reverse, symbolizing the most basic elements of our nation’s oldest and most legendary sport. Designed by Cassie McFarland of California, who beat out 177 other submissions, the coin manages to fit both the “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” mottos, which are found printed on the glove and ball.
The Curve
This coin will be the first curved coin ever produced by the U.S. Mint. It will be shaped in such a way that the obverse is concave and the reverse is convex. The U.S. mint did produce a curved coin in 1973 to honor Roberto Walker Clemente Congressional Gold Medal the late Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder. However, the National Baseball Hall of Fame coin is modeled after the convex 2009 International Year of Astronomy coins, issued by the Monnaie de Paris, French Mint.
The Denominations
According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act, the U.S. Treasury is required to issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins. Prices for these coins will include surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin and $5 for each half-dollar. This surcharge will go directly to the National Baseball Hall of Fame to help fund its operations.
About the National Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of Fame is an independent, non-profit educational institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of baseball and its impact on American culture. The Museum contains more than 40,000 three-dimensional artifacts representing all facets of the game, from its inception in the mid-19th century to the present. Today, the Museum collects and preserves baseball collections for a global audience as well as honors those who have made contributions to our nation’s pastime.
Gary Dyner is the owner of Great American Coin Company. Connect with him on Google+.
