WASHINGTON — World–renowned golfer Arnold Palmer received one of the Nation’s highest civilian awards – the Congressional Gold Medal – today during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Building. The medal recognizes his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.
Arnold Palmer’s many accomplishments include winning 92 championships in national or international professional competitions, 62 of which were on the Professional Golf Association Tour; serving his country for three years in the U.S. Coast Guard; and serving 20 years as honorary national chairperson of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. Palmer has received many honors outside the sporting world, including the Patriot Award of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, and the United States Navy Memorial Lone Sailor Award.
The United States Mint struck and prepared the Arnold Palmer Congressional Gold Medal as authorized by Public Law 111–65. The obverse (heads side), designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Don Everhart, features an image of Palmer finishing his golf swing with the inscription ARNOLD D. PALMER. The reverse (tails side), designed by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Phebe Hemphill and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Joseph Menna, depicts a pair of crossed golf clubs and a golf ball on a tee. The inscriptions are IN RECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICE TO THE NATION IN PROMOTING EXCELLENCE AND GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, 92 PROFESSIONAL GOLF VICTORIES and 7 MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Bronze reproductions of the medal, also authorized by Public Law 111–65, will be available for purchase from the United States Mint beginning September 12, 2012, at noon Eastern Time. The three–inch medal is priced at $39.95, and the one and one–half inch medal at $6.95. Orders will be accepted at the bureau’s online catalog at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). A $4.95 shipping and handling charge is added to all domestic orders. Presentation cases are sold separately.
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792. This year marks the bureau’s 220th anniversary. The United States Mint 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, gold and platinum bullion coins. The United States Mint’s numismatic program is self–sustaining and operates at no cost to the taxpayer.