WASHINGTON — World–renowned golfer Jack Nicklaus received the Congressional Gold Medal today during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
The medal recognizes Nicklaus’ service to the nation in promoting excellence, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy.
Nicklaus’ competitive career spanned parts of five decades during which he accumulated 120 victories in national and international professional competitions, 73 of which were won on the Professional Golfers Association TOUR. His record 18 professional major championships remains the standard by which all golfers are measured today.
A passionate philanthropist, Nicklaus has made a lifelong commitment to numerous charities, most of which support pediatric healthcare.
The United States Mint struck and prepared the Jack Nicklaus Congressional Gold Medal as authorized by Public Law 113–210. The obverse (heads side), designed and sculpted by Don Everhart, features a portrait of Nicklaus, his signature, and the inscriptions “120 PROFESSIONAL VICTORIES” and “18 MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.”
The reverse (tails side), designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, features laurel leaves and six stars, representing his five children and his wife Barbara. The inscriptions are “EXCELLENCE IN SPORT, PROMOTING INTEGRITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP, AND DEDICATION TO PHILANTHROPY AND CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE, WITH A LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO FAMILY” and “ACT OF CONGRESS 2014.”
Bronze reproductions of the medal, also authorized by the Public Law, will be available for purchase from the United States Mint beginning on March 25, at noon Eastern Daylight Time. The three–inch medal (product code 15ME) is priced at $39.95, and the one and one–half inch medal (product code 15MF) at $6.95. Orders will be accepted at http://catalog.usmint.gov/ and at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468).
About the United States Mint
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 taxpayers.