The United States Mint this week published images and prices of the upcoming silver dollars commemorating the 100th anniversary of Lions Club International (www.LionsClubs.org).
LCI was founded in 1917 and has since become the world’s largest service club with 1.4 million members seeking to improve local communities throughout the world. More than 46,000 clubs provide humanitarian services in more than 200 countries.
Selected from among dozens of candidates, Lions Clubs coin designs were unveiled in June during a ceremony held at the organization’s 99th annual convention in Fukuoka, Japan. Dollar obverses or heads side feature a portrait of founder Melvin Jones paired with the organization’s logo. Joel Iskowitz created the artwork and Joseph Menna sculpted it.
Designed by Patricia Lucas-Morris and sculpted by Don Everhart, their reverse or tails side depicts a male and female lion with a lion cub superimposed over a globe.
The silver dollars will be available on Jan. 18, 2017 in collectible finishes of proof and uncirculated with a combined 400,000 authorized. Demand decides the ratio of proof to uncirculated coins — collectors tend to gravitate more toward proofs, preferring their frosted designs and mirror-like backgrounds.
The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia produces both dollars. They are composed in 90% silver and 10% copper. Each weighs 26.73 grams, has a diameter of 1.500 inches, and features a reeded edge.
Introductory and Regular Prices
Introductory prices are established at $46.95 for the uncirculated and $47.95 for the proof. The discounted pricing period lasts until Feb. 15, 2017 when regular prices kick in at $51.95 for the uncirculated and $52.95 for the proof. These sets of prices represent $2 increases from the 2016-dated silver dollars commemorating Mark Twain and the National Park Service.
Surcharges
As directed by Public Law 112-181, prices for the Lions Clubs Silver Dollars include a $10 surcharge for the Lions Club International Foundation for: (1) furthering its programs for the blind and visually impaired in the United States and abroad; (2) investing in adaptive technologies for the disabled; and (3) investing in youth and those affected by a major disasters.
Availability
Both dollars will be available at catalog.usmint.gov beginning on Jan. 18, 2017 at noon ET. The Mint can only be sold during calendar year 2017.
Congress authorizes two commemorative coin programs each year to celebrate and honor American people, places, events, or institutions. The U.S. Mint is also charged with striking and selling 2017 Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coins in gold, silver and clad. The Boys Town coins are expected to launch in March.
The surcharge of $10 per coin will only be paid to the Lions Clubs charity if this commemorative coin program makes a profit. Otherwise, they get nothing like on a number of recent commemorative coin programs like the Girl Scouts who didn’t get a cent from the Mint!
-NumisDudeTX
Seth, that is so sad, but So True!!!
Most likely this one won’t make a profit either. I like the reverse design of the Lions but I had never head of the Lion’s Club before this commemorative coin. Also the high cost makes it unlikely that it will sell enough to provide any benefit to the Lion’s Club.
I like the reverse as well, the front has a picture of an old man with a deer in headlights kind of shocked expression…
Who else but us mindless commemorative coin collectors and Lions Club members would spend the money for such a coin? With 1.4 million members you’d think a sellout guaranteed. We’ll see how much spirit Lions Club members have.
I’m still peeved they didn’t mint a commemorative for the Panama Canal, or the Pan-Pacific Expo.
Love this coin, have been waiting for it. My club will be purchasing at least 10 coins if not more. These will go fast.
The old man on the front is Melvin Jones. Founder of Lions International. This organization helped form the United Nations. Is the first one to respond to disasters around the world and last to leave. Check out Lions International a true organization that all 100% of donations do go back to the communities. A club worth joining, starting with highschool youths (LEOS) through adults (females included).
There are 1.4 Million Lions in the World. If you have not heard of Lions shame on us but you meed to look around. Google Lions Clubs International and learn … you might even want to join. We Serve. We are HQ in Chicago and every Statebin the U.S. has many thousands of Lions. There is probably a club close to you.
Reach Out.
Seth –
Got any idea how many need to be sold before the $35/$10/$5 payout happens for the different commemorative coins?
I do plan to mention this coin and the returns to LCIF to my club. Hope many clubs purchase these for charity. Love the idea.
I’m surprised a national notice to all clubs hasn’t been sent. If I were a member I would buy one out of pride of membership. A club purchasing only 10 coins doesn’t show much enthusiasm for the coin or the $ reward they would get indirectly and the honor of being a member of a club being honored by the Congress of the United States with one of only two such coins allowed by law in 2017. Looks like the honor is being misplaced.
If you were a Lion Club member why in the world would you give the mint your money. You would think a member would give all 50 bucks to the Lions, not the (MAYBE) 10 bucks. Sorry coin well be a flop. When I give money to St Jude I want ALL my money going to St Jude not just a fraction.
Jess,
Good observation, but the mint AND the Lion’s Club are going after the non-members.
Jess –
Not being a member of LC I have no idea of what the income level of the membership is. As I said, out of pride I would buy a coin even if it cost $50 and forgo however many cups Starbucks coffee it might take to make up for it. If LC members live at the poverty level then that’s a different story; but I don’t believe that there aren’t 400,000 out of 1.4 million members who can’t afford the coin if as I also said before they had the spirit within them.
I can afford it but why bother? Will be melt price on ebay on 2018. ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz as to the subject….this over a WW1 commem or Pan Pac anniversary….
Whistler,
Please continue……
don’t know about it and don’t like the design. will pass this year
When I buy a commemorative coin the charity is the last thing I think about. I am not a Lion or a big fan of the coin but I will certainly try to pick one up as it may be quite the sell out. I’m sure there are Lions that are collectors but there are probably more that are not and may not even care about the coin. We will see what happens when it is released.
Not going to buy this .. the lions looked nice in the drawings but now I noticed that the adult lions are missing their whiskers now .. they look like they shaved …
I have been aware of the work of Lions International and known several members
but with all due respect, this coin is of very limited interest; members of Congress
push their themes and there are just 2 winners annually… you’d think they’d catch on to the abysmal sales of such comemms…pretty much an ego trip… yes, something to do with WWI would have been more appealing…