The United States Mint published images, product options, and limits for upcoming coins and a companion set that commemorate the 100th anniversary of Boys Town.
Founded by Father Edward Flanagan in 1917, Boys Town is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the country, dedicated to serving at-risk children and families of all backgrounds and religions.
Six coins will be released in all, plus a three-coin proof set. They launch on Mar. 9, 2017 at prices ranging from $20.95 to the mid to upper $400s, with the more expensive products depending on a weekly average of gold. Options include up to:
- 50,000 proof and uncirculated $5 gold coins;
- 350,000 proof and uncirculated silver dollars;
- 300,000 proof and uncirculated clad half-dollars; and
- 15,000 three-coin proof sets.
Containing a proof edition of each commemorative coin, the three-coin proof set will be further limited to two sets per household.
Below are images and descriptions for the six commemorative coins.
$5 Gold Coins
Gold coin obverses offer a portrait of Father Edward Flanagan.
Reverses shows a young oak tree growing from an acorn, which stands for the potential in each child helped by Boys Town to grow into a productive citizen.
|
Gold Obverse |
Gold Reverse |
Silver Dollars
Silver coin obverses depict a girl sitting alone and gazing upward into the branches of an oak tree looking for help.
Silver dollar reverses depict an oak tree offering shelter and a sense of belonging to the family holding hands below it.
|
Silver Obverse |
Silver Reverse |
Clad Half Dollars
Clad half-dollar obverses feature an older brother holding the hand of his younger brother and walking towards Father Flanagan’s home in 1917.
Half-dollar reverses depict a present-day Boys Town neighborhood of homes where children are educated and nurtured by caring families. Out of these homes come young adults who graduate from high school and the Boys Town program.
|
Clad Obverse |
Clad Reverse |
Congress authorizes two commemorative coin programs every year to honor American people, places, events, or institutions. The U.S. Mint earlier released this year’s first commemorative coins for Lions Clubs International.
Mike –
I think you meant 350,000 for the silver coin not 35,000, although 35,000 is probably closer to reality.
– jim
Mike Unser –
Thanks for the update. Your mintage numbers have a typo: “50,0000” instead of 50,000 & “35,000” instead of 350,000.
US Mint AIP artist Chris Costello who designed both sides of the Boys Town clad half dollar recently won an open design contest for Kagin’s official 2017 March ANA auction catalog cover artwork & won the $5,000 prize! Nice money for one day of work on a graphic design using computer software!
-NumisDudeTX
Thank you! The zero’s are fixed.
Thank you for this update, Mike.
I saw at Ebay presale price for silver $65. Will this coin sold out within 5 minutes ?
350k is very low mintage
yorbasasa, Assuming you are serious about your question, no. US Mint commemorative coins are struggling at the moment with popularity among today’s demographic of buyers. They were very popular from the very first release date until the late 2000’s when mintage numbers began to drop off. One might surmise that the collectors who once purchased these have either been priced out, or simply stopped collecting. I believe the present demographic of buyer is demanding a better deal than what they are getting for 90% fine coins. Until their costs get a little closer to spot price of metal, we will… Read more »
It will never sell out.
I meant to write “They will never sell out.”
Christopher Williams –
I agree with you totally. Unfortunately, most Americans have never heard of Boys Town, Nebraska (unless they saw the old b&w movie about Father Flanagan). Last year’s Mark Twin & NPS commemorative coins didn’t come close to selling out & Twain”s books have been translated into about 70 languages & he is known worldwide! Sad, but this great charity will probably not see a cent in surcharges from this coin program.
-NumisDudeTX
Seth-
The Mark Twain coins are gorgeous, but still, never sold out.
You would think by now, the US Mint would lower production.
They are also trying to sell too many coins. Just too many.
Christopher – IF mint management had any brains (that’s a big IF these days) they would only mint enough coins to meet demand and not the maximum the law states. After all it’s the number of coins sold that determines their rarity, not the maximum allowed.
Seth – I’m not sure about a clearance sale but in my opinion no coins should be sold or orders taken for past the year that’s on the coin. That may be a little harsh for collectors who are too lazy to buy coins in their mint year but they’ll learn quick enough.
Christopher Williams –
So true! Last week’s US Mint sales report had 255 different products! Some items from 2007 forward are still available. Time for a clearance sale! LOL
Happy collecting!
-NumisDudeTX
Better designs and an increase in silver will help but the CCAC doesn’t have the guts to to say start over. At lease congress will allow higher silver content in future programs.
I would be shocked if any surcharges make it to the recipient organizations from either program this year.
How many coin need to make for break even ? anyone know ? We need more people for numismatics. Otherwise , coin will be replace by plastic card or Phone pay .