BATTER UP! Pitch your coin design today!

United States Mint Opens Baseball Coin Design Competition

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Mint today announced the opening of its Baseball Coin Design Competition that will culminate in the Department of the Treasury's selection of the image for the obverse (heads side) of the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130411/DC92405)  

On hand for the launch announcement in the Russell Senate Office Building were Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Richard Hanna, sponsors of the authorizing legislation; Representative Chris Gibson; Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios; National Baseball Hall of Fame member Brooks Robinson; National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum President Jeff Idelson; and United States Mint Acting Director Richard A. Peterson.

"Baseball and the United States Mint—two American treasures—are teaming up to produce a historic one-of-a-kind coin program," said Treasurer Rios.  "Baseball is a touchstone in American history, and the United States Mint connects Americans to their history through coins.  The Treasury Department is proud to be part of this commemorative coin program." 

The competition is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, ages 14 and older, from today, April 11 at noon Eastern Time (ET) through May 11 at noon ET, or until 10,000 entries are received.  The winner of the design competition will be awarded $5,000, and the winner's initials will appear on the minted coins.  A Kids' Baseball Coin Design Challenge for children ages 13 and under is also being held separately beginning today through May 23.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 112-152) calls for a three-coin program of $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad coins and requires a competition to select a common obverse design emblematic of the game of baseball. 

In addition, the $5 gold and $1 silver coins will be the first "curved" coins minted and issued by the United States Mint, with the reverses (tail sides) being convex to more closely resemble a baseball and the obverses being concave to provide a more dramatic design.  The winning obverse design will be unveiled by mid-September.    

For guidelines, rules and entry instructions, please visit www.usmint.gov.  The United States Mint will use the Web site, www.Challenge.gov, to receive entries for the Baseball Coin Design Competition. 

For those thinking about entering the competition, here are some factors to consider:

• The obverse design must be "emblematic of the game of baseball" and must include the inscriptions LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2014. 
• Two-dimensional designs must be monochrome, not color, and three-dimensional models must be made using neutral plaster or a durable plastic material and should be approximately 8" in diameter.
• Designs must not include the name or depiction of a real player or any other person, living or not.
• Designs must not include depictions, names, emblems, logos, trademarks, or any other intellectual property associated with any specific commercial, private, educational, civic, religious, sports, or other organizations whose membership or ownership is not universal, including any current or former baseball team, either professional or amateur.
• Designs must not include any depiction of a real baseball stadium, field, arena, either in whole or in part, whether or not currently existing or in use.

Winners of the Kids' Baseball Coin Design Challenge for children ages 13 and under will receive a $1 silver National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin and a certificate.  The winning children's designs will also be showcased on the Department of the Treasury, United States Mint and National Baseball Hall of Fame Web sites.  The Kids' Baseball Coin Design Challenge will be hosted on Challenge.gov.  For more information, please visit www.usmint.gov/kids/kidsbatterup. 

The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792.  It 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.

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SOURCE United States Mint