It is that time of year again. Spring has officially started (on the calendar at least) and the madness has started; March Madness, that is.
This time of year lends itself to the college basketball elite; the sports-crazed fans who spend all season waiting for this particular part of the year in hopes that the last few not-so-great games will be a wash and their team will somehow end up in the final selection. Sorry, Hoosiers.
But what this year brings differently than the rest is the announcement made by the United States Mint within the last week. What does this have to do with March Madness and basketball? The announcement was for a new design competition for a new commemorative coin to be released in 2020. What is the theme you ask? Well, basketball of course.
The Competition
Signed into law by President Trump on December 21, 2018, was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act. This law, Public Law 115-343, allows for the production by the Mint of domed $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad coins. The reverse is to feature a basketball while the obverse is to be selected in the competition, which by the way, has been made public.
This open competition has been made eligible to artists 18 years of age or older that are a citizen of the United States or lawful permanent resident. The commemorative coins will be released in 2020 just in time for the 60th Anniversary of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. More information about the Rules of the competition can be found at the Mint’s website while the following dates are important to remember for all potential applicants:
- Applications Open: March 19, 2019
- Applications Deadline: April 15, 2019
- Artists Notified If Selected To Submit A Design: May 2019
- Submissions Must Be Received By: June 2019
- Winner Announced By: The End Of 2019
Do you think you have what it takes to design a coin for the US Mint? Do you know a local artist that would be perfect for this competition? More information can be found at the US Mint’s website! Join the Madness and celebrate this beloved sport this season and every season!