Washington — The United States Mint today announced that bronze duplicates of the Congressional Gold Medal honoring Jackie Robinson are now available. Rachel Robinson received the Congressionally authorized medal on behalf of her husband from President George W. Bush in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol rotunda today to honor the baseball great, civil rights leader and political activist.
As stated in the authorizing legislation, “Although the achievements of Jackie Robinson began with athletics, they widened to have a profound influence on civil and human rights in America.” “[T]he legacy and personal achievements of Jackie Robinson, as an athlete, a business leader, and a citizen, have had a lasting and positive influence on the advancement of civil rights in the United States.”
Fifty eight years ago, Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. In 1962, he was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, and in 1997, he became the first African–American to be honored on a gold U.S. commemorative coin.
Authorized by Congress under Public Law 108–101 and struck by the United States Mint, the medal’s obverse portrait of Jackie Robinson was designed by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver. The inscription, “JACKIE ROBINSON,” appears to the left of the portrait followed by “A LIFETIME OF ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & HUMAN DIGNITY.” The inscription, “ACT OF CONGRESS 2003,” appears on the lower rim.
The reverse of the medal, designed by United States Mint sculptor/engravers John Mercanti and Don Everhart, features laurel branches surrounding a plaque containing the inscription, “‘A LIFE IS NOT IMPORTANT EXCEPT IN THE IMPACT IT HAS ON OTHER LIVES.’ JACKIE ROBINSON.”
The three–inch bronze duplicate medal (medal number 754) is available for $38.00 and the 1⁄12–inch miniature bronze duplicate medal replica (medal number 755) is $3.00. Presentation cases are also available.
Customers are invited to purchase both sizes of the bronze duplicates and miniature bronze replicas of the gold medal using the United States Mint’s secure website at www.usmint.gov or call the toll–free number, 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all orders. Hearing– and speech–impaired customers may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.