One week from today, on Monday, Aug. 1, the United States Mint will start a public contest for designs for commemorative coins that are emblematic of the fight against breast cancer.
The design competition has been established for American citizens and permanent residents 18 years of age and older to create obverse and reverse designs that will be shared on clad, silver, and pink gold 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coins. The winning artist will receive $10,000 for his or her designs, and their initials will be placed on the coins.
"The Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Design Competition is an exciting opportunity for American artists to design a coin in recognition of the fight against breast cancer," said Matthew Rhett Jeppson, Principal Deputy Director of the United States Mint.
"This competition provides a unique occasion for the United States Mint and for American artists to join this important cause and create what will certainly be a beautiful and impactful coin program," Jeppson added.
Congress authorized the design competition by passing the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act. Enacted in April 2016, it requires an expert jury to select the winning designs. The jury will be chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury and consist of three members from the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and three members from the Commission of Fine Arts.
The first phase of the contest starts on Aug. 1 and lasts until Oct. 17. During this time, artists are to submit portfolios of their work. Up to 20 of the Phase One applicants will be selected to participate in Phase Two, where they will create and submit their coin designs. Artists in Phase Two will be paid $1,000 for their obverse and reverse designs. The winner will be announced in June 2017.
Key dates for the design contest include:
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August 1, 2016: United States Mint Launches Public Design Competition for Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin
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October 17, 2016: Close of public competition (Phase One)
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November 14, 2016: Update on artists invited to participate in Phase Two
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January 31, 2017: Deadline for Phase Two artists to submit designs and/or plaster models
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June 2017: Announcement and unveiling of winning design
2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coins will be issued in collector qualities of proof and uncirculated, and their quantities could go up to 50,000 $5 pink gold coins, 400,000 silver dollars and 750,000 clad half-dollars.
Under the terms of the Act, a surcharge of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver dollar and $5 per clad half-dollar will be added to each coin sale, and collected funds will be paid to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org) for furthering research.
For more information, rules and FAQ’s, the United States Mint has a webpage devoted to the design competition.
The agency is also asking for help in spreading the word on Twitter.
My Dad had cancer and beat it. He has since pass from an unrelated illness. My Mom has also beat cancer. She is still with us. She is 86 and the way she moves around and still drives around in her car she will be around when this coin comes out. GOD WILLING. I will be getting this for her.