Helen Keller’s “Knights of the Blind” will be honored in 2017 with the 100th anniversary Lions Clubs International commemorative silver dollar.
The coin’s obverse and reverse designs were unveiled June 28 at its annual convention in Fukuoka, Japan.
Mintage will be a maximum of 400,000. A $10 surcharge will be assessed for each coin sold.
After all government expenses are covered, surcharge income will go to the secretary of the Lions Club International Foundation for the purpose of furthering its programs for the blind and visually impaired in the United States and abroad, including adapting technology to help them and investing in youth and others affected by a major disaster.
The obverse depicts Melvin Jones, the man who founded the organization in Chicago in 1917.
The reverse shows a family of lions.
Just eight years after its founding, the Lions in 1925 at their annual convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, answered Helen Keller’s call.
Eradicating blindness remains a top goal to this day.
The authorizing legislation noted there are 45,000 Lions clubs around the world with 1.35 million members.
According to the Mint, Artist Infusion Program Designer Joel Iskowitz created the obverse and it was sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
Reverse design was done by AIP Designer Patricia Lucas-Morris and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
This article was originally printed in Numismatic News Express.
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More Collecting Resources
• The Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 8th Edition is your guide to images, prices and information on the century's coins.
• If you enjoy reading about what inspires coin designs, you'll want to check out Fascinating Facts, Mysteries & Myths about U.S. Coins.
