Coins commemorating 100 years of the world’s largest service club organization, Lions Clubs International, are now available from the United States Mint.
2017 Lions Club Centennial Silver Dollars in collectible proof and uncirculated finishes and at introductory, discounted prices launched today at noon Eastern Time. Each one sold will benefit the Lions Club International Foundation.
LCI (www.LionsClubs.org) was founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones. Today, the organization has a memberships of over 1.4 million and operates from 46,000-plus clubs throughout the world. Humanitarian projects served by the organization include SightFirst, disability and youth programs.
Silver Dollar Designs
For the silver dollar’s obverse or heads side design, 14 candidates competed against each other. Each of them depicted Lions Club Founder Melvin Jones in varying perspectives. The winning design, created by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Joseph Menna, shows Jones along with the club’s logo.
Twenty-one different candidates were presented as possible options for the coin’s reverse or tails side. The selected design depicts a male and female lion with a lion cub superimposed over a globe. Patricia Lucas-Morris created the artwork and Don Everhart sculpted it.
Both coins are produced at the U.S. Mint facility in Philadelphia to a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper, with each having a reeded edge, a diameter of 1.500 inches, and weight of 26.730 grams.
Introductory and Regular Prices
Introductory coin prices of $46.95 for the uncirculated and $47.95 for the proof are available until 3:00 p.m. Feb. 21 when regular pricing kicks in at $51.95 and $52.95.
Ordering
Place orders using the U.S. Mint’s commemorative coin page or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Mintage and Surcharges
The mintage is 400,000 for the pair with demand deciding the exact ratio of proof to uncirculated coins.
As directed by Public Law 112-181, silver dollar prices include a $10 surcharge for the Foundation to: (1) further its programs for the blind and visually impaired in the United States and abroad; (2) invest in adaptive technologies for the disabled; and (3) invest in youth and those affected by a major disasters.
No big rush by collectors or the public to purchase these coins with a very high 400,000 mintage limit! Even the Mint’s phone lines were totally open within 5 minutes of noon!
The $10 surcharge per coin will only be paid to the Lions Clubs organization if this commemorative coin program makes a profit after all expenses of the program. Otherwise, they get nothing.
-NumisDudeTX
Seth I didn’t know that about the surcharge per coin only after a profit. See… stuff like that is what I like to read here because I get information from the post and then from some comments from people that have the knowledge like you do. I wish it was always like that. I will get these coins for my granddaughters because they like wild life. They may not know about the Lions Club but they will learn after I give them these coins and tell them about it. But then I might have to start buying Pandas and all… Read more »
I’m sorry to say I will be passing on this coin. I do think the reverse with the lion’s is a nice looking piece, but I have no connections to the (Lion’s) except thru local fundraisers.
If the mintage was substantially lower I would consider it.
Seth, I’m sure the phone lines were all open on this one.
Joera, there are an AWFUL lot of coins with animals on them. Better be careful, you may go broke doing it….. ; )
I ordered one of each. I’m not to excited about this one, but I’m going to keep my set updated. Boy’s Town looks like crap, but I’m still going to order one of each dollar and half dollar.
It is a pleasure to read that there is a grandfather out there sparking his grandchildren to collect coins. My grandfather started my collection and I am starting my sons. I will never believe that the numismatic art will ever die. Pass on the passion my friends and happy collecting.
joera & Mouse –
Amen to passing on the coin collecting hobby to a younger generation when we are gone. A nice tbing for sure!
-NumisDudeTX
Happy 100 years! I joined last year in the footsteps of my father, grandfathers and great-grandfathers. I am a fourth generation member of the Clinton, Maine Lion’s Club, and will be purchasing these beautiful commemorative coins as gifts to those who sparked the interest in me to serve others. Roar Lions Roar!