2015 designs that put the “new” in numismatics!
Happy New Year! Here’s hoping that 2015 is your best year yet. Like a lot of people, I like to set goals at the beginning of each year – something to work toward. Maybe this year one of your goals involves adding to your collection? If so, here are some new 2015 designs that you can look forward to:
- National Park quarters
– Now entering its 6th year, this popular series is stronger than ever. The five new designs for 2015 pay tribute to:
- Homestead National Monument of America – this coin honors the three things necessary for every homesteader: shelter, water and food.
- Kisatchie National Forest – featuring a wild turkey in flight.
- Blue Ridge Parkway – shows American Dogwood blossoms (North Carolina’s state flower) before a portion of the famed roadway. I’m really looking forward to this coin – especially when we do our colorized version.
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge – depicts a great blue heron and a great egret.
- Saratoga National Historical Park – honors the moment of Britain’s surrender in the battles that are considered a turning point in the American Revolution.
- Native American dollar
– An impressive design. It celebrates the Mohawk ironworkers and their contributions to the building of high-rise skylines in America. The reverse shows a man guiding an I-beam as the New York City skyline spreads out below him. Can you imagine doing his job? I certainly can’t – just looking at the coin makes me a little dizzy! - Presidential dollars – Hard to believe, but the Presidential dollar series is winding down. This year brings us the first four Presidents to serve following World War II: Harry S. Truman (who served at the war’s end following the death of President Roosevelt), Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Of course, a matching $10 First Spouse gold coin will be issued alongside each Presidential dollar. For 2015, those coins will honor Elizabeth Truman, Mamie Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy and Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson. - American Silver Eagle
– No special issues have been announced yet, but 2015 marks the 30th issue in America’s popular 1 ounce silver bullion series. What do you think – will there (or should there) be special issues this year? Or will the mint decide to wait until the series’ 30th anniversary in 2016? - Commemorative issues – To date, just two commemorative issues have been announced for 2015. The first notes the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals – America’s first federal law enforcement agency. With this series, you’ll have a choice from a gold $5 coin (honoring fallen operational personnel), a silver dollar (marking the services’ frontier history) or a clad half dollar (commemorating the various types of agency missions).
The second commemorative, a 90% silver dollar, marks the 75th anniversary of the formation of the March of Dimes. The obverse of this touching coin features profiles of both Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dr. Jonas Salk. Roosevelt formed the March of Dimes – then known as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis – in 1938, while Salk developed the first successful vaccine for polio. On the reverse, an infant sleeps in the hand of its parent, celebrating the organization’s more modern purpose. Originally founded to fight polio, now the March of Dimes works to better the health of mothers and their babies.
Even though the coins aren’t out yet, have you seen any of the artwork online for the new designs – like the Native American dollar and National Park quarters shown here? Are there any pieces in particular that you’re looking forward to? I’d love to hear what you think about the year’s upcoming coins and what you’ll be collecting!
