2017 LIONS CLUBS DOLLAR FIRST STRIKE CEREMONY

The first strike

Today, November 9, 2016, at its main production facility in Philadelphia, the United States Mint held a special ceremony for the first strike of the 2017 Lions Clubs International Centennial commemorative silver dollar coin.

And CoinWeek was on hand to film the event in high-definition.

According to the Mint's Principal Deputy Director Rhett Jeppson, “Service is a core value of the Mint, and the Lions Clubs is one of the best examples of service not only here in the United States, but across the world.”

He was joined at the ceremony by James Franklin Moore, III, chairperson of the Lions Clubs International Centennial Committee. It was Moore who struck the first Proof silver coin of the commemorative's run during the ceremony. “Lions Clubs International is honored to be among a relatively few organizations to be included in the United States Mint commemorative coin program," he said. "This is a wonderful way to mark our 100 years of global humanitarian service.”

The obverse features Lions Clubs founder Melvin Jones and the intriguingly mythological Lions Clubs International logo. Inscriptions include LIBERTY, the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST, MELVIN JONES, FOUNDER, and 2017. United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer Joel Iskowitz created the artwork on the front and United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna engraved it.

The reverse shows a male and female lion pair along with their cub - all superimposed over a globe. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $1, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE. AIP designer Patricia Lucas-Morris and Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart are responsible for this side.

To read the complete article (and watch the video), see:
U.S. Mint Holds Strike Ceremony for Lions Clubs Commemorative Silver Coin – 4K Video (www.coinweek.com/us-mint-news/u-s-mint-holds-strike-ceremony-lions-clubs-commemorative-silver-coin/)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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