WASHINGTON — The National Baseball Hall of Fame and the United States Mint today unveiled the first–ever curved commemorative coin to honor the 75th anniversary of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The coin goes on sale today.
At a launch event on Capitol Hill, Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Brooks Robinson joined Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios, as well as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Rep. Richard Hanna (NY), who co–sponsored the legislation that called for production of the coin.
“Today’s release of the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin is a significant milestone in celebrating the history and legacy of our country’s favorite pastime. The spirit of baseball is captured in this coin,” said Jeff Idelson, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. “We are appreciative to the House, the Senate and the President for signing the commemorative coin into law, and are excited to introduce the gold, silver and clad coins to a baseball–adoring public and an excited numismatic community.”
The coin’s curved design is the first of its kind by the Mint. A baseball is depicted on the convex side of the coin’s reverse, or tails side. A baseball glove is illustrated on the concave side of the coin’s obverse, or heads side, which curves inward reflecting the natural shape of a baseball mitt. The obverse design was selected as a result of the Mint’s National Baseball Coin Design Competition, and was chosen by Hall of Fame member judges including Morgan (second baseman, elected 1990); Robinson (third baseman, elected 1983); Ozzie Smith (shortstop, elected 2002); Don Sutton (pitcher, elected 1998); and Dave Winfield (outfielder, elected 2001).
“These coins commemorate important aspects of American history and culture,” said Richard A. Peterson, United States Mint deputy director. “This is a great way to connect with America’s pastime through this 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin.”
The National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 112–152) authorizes the United States Mint to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half–dollar clad coins in recognition and celebration of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and its 75th anniversary.
The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin at noon EDT today on its website, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468), at the Whitman Coin and Collectible Spring Expo show in Baltimore, and at its sales counter at Mint headquarters in Washington, D.C. Gold, silver and clad coins will be available. Surcharges of $35 for each gold coin sold, $10 for each silver coin sold, and $5 for each clad coin sold are to be paid to the National Baseball Hall of Fame to help finance its operations. Reduced introductory pricing will be available through April 28, 2014.
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 the taxpayer.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Museum observes summer hours of 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. from Memorial Day Weekend until the day before Labor Day. From Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend, the Museum observes daily regular hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Ticket prices are $19.50 for adults (13 and over), $12 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations, and $7 for juniors (ages 7–12). Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger. For more information, visit our Web site at baseballhall.org or call 888–HALL–OF–FAME (888–425–5633) or 607–547–7200.