U.S. Mint Wins Awards at the 2019 Coin of the Year (COTY) International Awards Program

By Office of Corporate Communications
February 22, 2019

Director Ryder and Roger Vasquez hold trophies

The U.S. Mint won awards at the 2019 Coin of the Year (COTY) International Awards Program for the American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin and the Boys Town Centennial Silver Dollar.

Pictured: U.S. Mint Director David J. Ryder and Program Manager Roger Vasquez hold the awards.

On February 2, 2019, United States Mint Director David J. Ryder accepted two awards on behalf of the Mint at the 2019 Coin of the Year (COTY) Awards competition at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany.

The American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin won in the Best Gold Coin category and the Boys Town Centennial Silver Dollar won Most Inspirational Coin.

“It is my great honor to receive the award for Best Gold Coin on behalf of the United States Mint,” Director Ryder said. “The coin being recognized is truly special to our team. It was minted in 2017 to mark the 225th anniversary of the United States Mint. To observe this milestone, we proudly introduced the 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin featuring a modern rendition of Lady Liberty. This coin garnered a great deal of attention and sparked an interest in collecting for many who had never considered the hobby before.”

The American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin features a modern interpretation of Lady Liberty, which has graced American coins since the founding of the United States Mint over 225 years ago. The coin is the first high relief coin with a proof finish ever minted by the United States.

2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin Obverse

The obverse features a profile of Liberty wearing a crown of stars, and was designed by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The reverse features a bold and powerful eagle in flight, with eyes toward opportunity and a determination to attain it. The reverse was designed by Chris Costello and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso.

The American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold coin and related coins can be found on the U.S. Mint’s Catalog site.

The 2017 Boys Town Silver Dollar Coin is part of the Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Program that commemorates the 100th anniversary of Boys Town, one of the largest non-profit organizations in the United States, dedicated to serving at-risk children and families of all backgrounds and religions. Boys Town programs impact the lives of more than two million children and families each year.

“Honoring the Boys Town Centennial Silver Dollar as the Most Inspirational Coin speaks volumes about the ability of our artists to convey emotion—I am so proud of them,” said Director Ryder after accepting the award. “I feel this coin represents America at its best—because we are truly at our best when we focus on helping others.”

The coin design tells a story using the obverse and reverse together, functioning as one singular harmonious and congruent coin design.

2017 Boys Town Commemorative Silver Uncirculated Obverse

The obverse design 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.

2017 Boys Town Commemorative Silver Uncirculated Reverse

The reverse design 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. The coin was designed by Emily Damstra and sculpted by Joseph Menna, who was recently named the U.S. Mint’s Chief Engraver.

See more Inside the Mint articles.

U.S. Mint Wins Awards at the 2019 Coin of the Year (COTY) International Awards Program

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