US Mint Reveals 2010 Boy Scouts of America Commemorative Coin Designs

In preparation for what is expected to be one of the most poplar US coinage offerings next year, the US Mint announced the obverse and reverse designs for the 2010 Boy Scouts of America Commemorative Coins.

As authorized by the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, which was signed into Public Law 110-363 by former President Bush, the Mint will strike up to 350,000 silver dollars in proof and uncirculated conditions to honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

While the mintage is not on the small side, many watchers of the commemorative coin series expect a sellout. The BSA is the single largest youth organization in the United States, with 2.8 million youth members and 1.1 million adult leaders in the programs of cub scouting, boy scouting and venturing. According to it website (http://www.scouting.org/), more than 111 million people have participated in the organization's traditional programs since its founding in 1910. With these notable achievements, the silver coins have a significant populace base of interest.

The US Mint originally created 17 obverse (heads side) and 5 reverse coin designs for consideration with themes that were mandated by Public Law 110-363 to be "emblematic of the 100 years of the largest youth organization in United States, the Boy Scouts of America."

Several recommendations were made by government bodies -- U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), and the Boy Scouts of America which narrowed down the design candidates to five. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner then approved the front and back designs on Sept. 16, 2009.

The obverse design depicts a Cub Scout in the foreground with a Boy Scout and female Venturer in the background saluting. Inscriptions are CONTINUING THE JOURNEY, 1910, 2010, IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY.

The design, according to the US Mint, "represents the Boy Scouts of America of today, as the organization has recognized the need to include other programs for younger boys (cub scouts) and older boys and girls (venturers), reflecting the great diversity of our nation.   It is a dramatic representation of how the Boy Scouts of America has evolved over the past century to form a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for all the youth of America."

It was designed by Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Donna Weaver and engraved by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers.

The reverse design features the Boy Scouts of America's universal emblem. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, BE PREPARED, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE DOLLAR. It was sculpted by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

The commemoratives will be composed of 90% and 10% copper. A launch date has not yet been set for their release, but Public Law 110-363 stipulates sales cannot begin until February 8, 2010 (the day the BSA celebrate its centennial) and that they must end by Jan. 1, 2011.

Related World Mint Coins articles:

• Louis Braille Commemorative Coins
• America the Beautiful Quarters and Silver Bullion Coin Programs

Tagged as: Commemorative Coins