Salazar Seeks Legislation to Authorize Mint to Issue Coins Commemorating National Park Service Centennial Anniversary

WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar is asking Congress to pass legislation authorizing the U.S. Mint to issue coins commemorating the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.

“Commemorative coins would bring national and international visibility to the history and the mission of the Service as a whole as well as its many parks and programs during the bureau's centennial year,” Salazar wrote in a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi that accompanied a draft bill.

Under the proposed legislation, sales of the coins would raise funds for the National Park Foundation, a congressionally chartered organization that works to strengthen the connection between the American people and national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness.

The legislation would authorize the issuance of 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins. As collectors' items, the coins typically sell for far more than their face value. For example, gold $5 coins that were minted for Jamestown's 400th anniversary in 2007 sold for over $200 each, while silver $1 coins sold for about $37 a piece.

The foundation, as the designated recipient of surcharges, would receive $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin, and $5 for each half-dollar coin sold.

For a copy of Secretary Salazar's letter to Congress, click here.