March 31, 2016 – The United States Mint opened the doors of its San Francisco facility to the media for a ceremonial striking of the 2016 National Park Service (NPS) Proof Clad Half Dollar. “Every day, across the Nation, the Mint connects Americans through coins, and in 2016 it will be our great privilege to connect America to the legacy of the National Park Service and its distinguished service to our country since 1916,” said United States Mint Chief of Staff Elisa Basnight.
U.S. Mint Principal Deputy Direct Rhett Jeppson passes a 100th Anniversary National Park Service Commemorative Coin to Victor Knox, National Park Service Associate Director for Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands. The second of two commemorative coin programs for 2016, surcharges from the sale of the coins have been authorized to be paid to the National Park Foundation. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
The strike ceremony offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the coin’s production prior to its release March 24. In addition to Ms. Basnight, participants included Tom Leatherman, NPS superintendent for the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, John Muir National Historic Site, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, and the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historic Park; David Jacobs, plant manager of the Mint’s San Francisco facility; NPS junior ranger Fisher Tomlinson; and NPS park ranger Betty Soskin. Soskin, who is 94 years old and the oldest full-time ranger, is assigned to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historic Park.
2016 National Park Service Proof Clad Half Dollar, issued by the US Mint, designed by Barbara Fox and Thomas Hipschen and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso and Charles L. Vickers
The obverse (heads side) of the 2016 National Park Service Proof Clad Half Dollar features a hiker discovering the majesty of the wilderness and a small child discovering a frog hiding in ferns, celebrating the diversity and breadth of the NPS. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “2016,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “1916,” and “NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.” The obverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Barbara Fox and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.
The coin’s reverse (tales side) features the NPS logo, with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “HALF DOLLAR,” “STEWARDSHIP,” and “RECREATION.” The reverse was designed by AIP artist Thomas Hipschen and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.
Large prints of the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service Commemorative Coins are displayed at the Lincoln Memorial during the ceremonial opening of sales March 24, 2016. The second of two commemorative coin programs for 2016, surcharges from the sale of the coins have been authorized to be paid to the National Park Foundation. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
The 2016 National Park Service Proof Clad Half Dollar Coin is part of a three-coin program authorized by Public Law 113-291 to celebrate the centennial of the NPS. As required by the public law, the Mint will mint and issue 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half dollar clad coins in proof and uncirculated qualities.
Surcharges collected from the sales of each coin are authorized to be paid to the National Park Foundation. The funds are to be used for projects that help preserve and protect resources under the stewardship of the NPS and promote public enjoyment and appreciation of these resources.
For visiting the United State Mint’s website, please click here.
This is the website of the National Park Foundation.
And here you can watch an interesting YouTube movie on the creation of this coin.