A century ago, Melvin Jones, a Chicago business leader and member of a businessmen's luncheon group, posed a simple question: "What if these men, who are successful because of their drive, intelligence, and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?"
In 1917, Jones made this vision a reality when he founded Lions Clubs International, a service club organization with the guiding principle of "We Serve." The organization empowers its volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding. Services include community, environmental, youth, health programs, and disaster relief work.
On June 7, 2017, Lions Clubs International celebrated 100 years of community service to men, women, and children worldwide. Since its founding, it has become one of the world's largest organizations of its kind. Its 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs provide humanitarian services in more than 200 countries.
In 2017, the U.S. Mint released the Lions Clubs International Centennial Silver Dollar to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International.
"You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else… "
Melvin Jones
Founder, Lions Clubs International
The price of each coin includes a $10 surcharge, which the law authorized to be paid to the Lions Clubs International Foundation in order to:
Commemorative coin programs are created by acts of Congress to honor a person, place, or event. Surcharges from the sales of these coins help fund a variety of organizations and projects that benefit the public. Commemorative coins are only available from the United States Mint for a limited time, as specified by public law.
The obverse (heads) design features a portrait of founder Melvin Jones paired with the Lions Clubs International logo.
The reverse (tails) design depicts a male and female lion with a lion cub superimposed over a globe.