On August 28, the first colorized coins ever produced by the US Mint are being released: a Basketball Hall of Fame 2020-S Colorized Half Dollar and 2020-P Colorized Silver Dollar. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) is offering a special attribution — First Colorized US Coins — to celebrate this historic innovation in US coinage.
Along with the attribution, the vibrant NGC Basketball Celebration Special Label is offered for free to all submitters. NGC designations, including Tip Off Releases for coins received within the first week of release, and Early Releases and First Releases for coins received within the first 30 days of release, are also available.
For years, collectors have wondered if the US Mint would ever create a colorized coin. When it was announced that a portion of the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins would be colorized, there was tremendous excitement throughout the hobby.
With both the Half Dollar and Silver Dollar, the colorization is featured on the coins’ common reverse, which was designed by US coin and medal artist Donna Weaver. From the time that the first images of the basketball coins were released, Weaver’s depiction of the perfect shot has been praised for capturing the essence of the game. The addition of color further enhances the design.
The Basketball Hall of Fame 2020-S Colorized Half Dollar showcases the ball, ablaze in the sport’s signature orange shade, passing through the rim, which is a distinctly darker orange. The ball’s ribs are black, and the net is white, creating a dynamic yet harmonious composition that brings the coin to life.
The Basketball Hall of Fame 2020-P Colorized Silver Dollar displays an elegant use of color. Black defines the ribs of the basketball, and the bright-white net adds contrast and dimension. Orange — the color most associated with basketball — delineates the hoop and makes it a focal point, just as it is the target of the game.
"American numismatists have long awaited a colorized coin from the US Mint," commented Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman and Grading Finalizer. "NGC is excited to grade these coins and provide innovative display options that highlight this momentous occasion in the hobby’s history."
In addition to being the first colorized coins ever produced by the US Mint, the basketball coins are only the third US curved coins. These factors — and a limited mintage of just 75,000 coins for each issue — make the colorized basketball coins a must-have for many collectors.
Check out all of NGC’s certification options for the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins at NGCcoin.com/basketballcoins.
NGC’s labels, holders and certification services for the US Mint Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
About Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®)
NGC is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for coins, tokens and medals, with more than 47 million collectibles certified. Founded in 1987, NGC provides an accurate, consistent and impartial assessment of authenticity and grade. Every coin that NGC certifies is backed by the comprehensive NGC Guarantee of authenticity and grade, which gives buyers greater confidence. This results in higher prices realized and greater liquidity for NGC-certified coins. To learn more, visit NGCcoin.com.
PCGS is the official Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame commemorative coins authenticator/grading company – NOT NGC! Buyer Beware!
NumisdudeTX
I think we all know these are the the first colorized coins ever produced by the US Mint, although if I remember correctly the Mint didn’t actually colorize them. I doubt anyone needs a special label to tell them. Is anybody actually planning to buy these coins?
I’m sure they will sell but you can count me out.
The Mint sent these coins out to a private company in Massachusetts to be colorized, so you can imagine the scratches on these, with the back & forth shipments & to the Mint’s fulfillment warehouse run by a private company in Memphis. Flea market junk!
NumisdudeTX
what happens to the imperfects/rejects?
I for one will pass on these. I don’t care if they become super-rare-must-have items in 3 months, it’s just not for me. If I wanted colorized coins, I would have been buying all those gaudy colorized quarters on ebay.