Lions Clubs International Silver Commemorative Coins for 2017

The Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act was signed into law by President Obama on October 5, 2012, authorizing the Treasury Secretary to produce up to 400,000 silver dollars based on sales.

The commemorative coins will launch during the calendar year of 2017, the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International (LCI).

Public Law 112-181 mandates the strikes be composed of 90% silver and offered in collector proof and uncirculated qualities. Like all modern silver dollar commemoratives, they will weigh 26.73 grams and have a diameter of 1.5 inches. Designs are to be emblematic of the centennial of LCI and require consultation with the club’s special planning committee as well as the Commission of Fine Arts. The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee will also participate in the design review and recommendation process.

Typical coin inscriptions will state 2017, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The legislation terms also spelled out the use of a $10 surcharge collected at the sale of each silver dollar. After the U.S. Mint recovers its costs, such as labor, materials and overhead expenses — the Treasury Secretary shall forward all surcharges to the Lions Clubs International Foundation Secretary in order to further programs for the blind in the U.S. and abroad, invest in adaptive technologies for the disabled and invest in youth and those affected by a major disaster.

Representative Peter Roskam of Illinois introduced the original bill, H.R. 2139, on June 3, 2011, and Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas introduced a similar version, S.1299, a few weeks later. It was the House version that passed, first in the House on September 10, 2012 and then unanimously in the Senate on September 22, 2012.

Lions Clubs International (http://www.lionsclubs.org) was founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman. Their goal was to improve their communities and the world. Through volunteers and service, their 1.35 million members worldwide today serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding.