Willie-Mays
New U.S. coins commemorate 100th anniversary of Negro Leagues
The United States Mint will open sales for the 2022 Negro Leagues Baseball Commemorative Coin Program at noon Jan. 6, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Negro National League.
The league formed in 1920 in response to African-American players being banned from baseball’s major leagues. The first organized professional league for black players paved the way for more than 2,600 African-American and Hispanic players to play professionally, including such legendary stars as Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, Larry Doby, Ernie Banks and Roy Campanella.
The league lasted until 1960 — 13 years after Robinson broke the major league color barrier in 1947.
The U.S. Mint is producing $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins and half-dollar coins.
The $5 gold coin features league founder Rube Foster.
The Jackie Robinson silver medal has the same design as the Jackie Robinson Congressional Gold Medal produced in 2003.
The Coin and Medal Set will be limited to 15,000 units and will be available during a 30-day window.
The Silver Dollar with Privy Mark features a privy mark on the obverse of the coin commemorating the 100th anniversary in 2020. It is limited to 20,000 units.
“Just as this game connects families and communities, every day, across the Nation, the Mint connects Americans through coins,” said United States Mint Deputy Director Ventris C. Gibson. “It is now our great privilege to connect America to the extraordinary legacy of Negro Leagues Baseball.”
Surcharges of $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar and $5 for each half dollar will go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to aid in its mission to promote tolerance, diversity and inclusion.
“The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is thrilled to partner with the United States Mint on the release of these historic coins that beautifully captures the winning spirit of the Negro Leagues,” said Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick. “We hope that collectors and baseball fans alike will purchase these coins and support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum efforts to ensure that the legacy and important life lessons of the Negro Leagues plays on.”
Introductory sales prices are in effect until 3 p.m. on Feb. 7, when regular pricing will take effect.
The commemorative coins can be ordered at catalog.usmint.gov/ or 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
