Designs for coins commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Boys Town were unveiled today (August 23) during a ceremony at Boys Town Music Hall in Boys Town, Nebraska.
“Each time a person looks at any one of these unique designs, it will spark an interest in learning about the history of Boys Town, acknowledging the extraordinary efforts made by this organization to give comfort and purpose to children in need, and recognizing the significant contributions of Father Flanagan,” said United States Mint Principal Deputy Director Rhett Jeppson.
Jeppson was joined by Boys Town representatives Cordell Cade and Kymani Bell, mayor and vice mayor, respectively; Dan Daly, Executive Vice President, Director of Youth Care; and Jerry Davis, Vice President of Advocacy.
Public Law 114-30 authorizes the Mint to mint and issue no more than 50,000 $5 gold, 350,000 $1 silver, and 300,000 half dollar clad coins with designs emblematic of the charity’s centennial.
The gold coin obverse (heads) features a portrait of Father Flanagan. Inscriptions include “BOYS TOWN CENTENNIAL,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “FR. EDWARD FLANAGAN,” “LIBERTY,” and “2017.” The obverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart (View Designer’s Profile).
The gold coin reverse (tails) features an outstretched hand holding a young oak tree growing from an acorn. As stated in the idiom “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow,” this design represents the potential of each child helped by Boys Town to grow into a productive, complete adult. Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “THE WORK WILL CONTINUE,” “FIVE DOLLARS,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The reverse was also designed by Weaver and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz (View Designer’s Profile).
The silver $1 coin obverse features a young girl sitting alone and gazing upward into the branches of an oak tree looking for help. The empty space around the girl is deliberate and meant to show the child’s sense of loneliness, isolation, and helplessness. Inscriptions include “BOYS TOWN,” “When you help a child today…,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and “1917-2017.”
The obverse was designed by AIP Designer Emily Damstra (View Designer’s Profile) and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna (View Designer’s Profile).
The coin’s reverse features an oak tree offering shelter and a sense of belonging to the family holding hands below it, which includes the girl from the obverse. Inscriptions include “…you write the history of tomorrow,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “ONE DOLLAR,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The reverse was also designed by Damstra and sculpted by Menna.
The clad half dollar obverse features an older brother holding the hand of his younger brother in 1917. They walk toward Father Flanagan’s Boys Home and the 1940s pylon representing what would become Boys Town. Inscriptions include “BOYS TOWN,” “1917,” “2017,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and “Saving Children.” The obverse was designed by AIP Designer Chris Costello and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon (View Designer’s Profile).
The coin’s reverse features a present-day Boys Town neighborhood of homes where children are schooled and nurtured by caring families. Out of these homes come young adults who graduate from high school and the Boys Town program. Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “Healing Families,” and “HALF DOLLAR.” The reverse was also designed by Costello and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill (View Designer’s Profile).
Pricing for the Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coins will include surcharges-$35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each $1 silver coin, and $5 for each half dollar clad coin-which are authorized to be paid to Boys Town to carry out its cause of caring for and assisting children and families in underserved communities across America.
The Mint will announce the release date and additional pricing information for the Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coins prior to their release in 2017.
About Boys Town
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. Founded in 1917 by Father Edward Flanagan, the organization provides treatment for the behavioral, emotional, and physical problems of children and families in 11 regions across the country. Boys Town programs impact the lives of more than two million children and families each year.
About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.
The United States Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. The United States Mint’s numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.
All good designs overall. Especially like the dollar reverse; trees always look good on coins.