The Art Contest
By state statute an art contest is held annually. The contest is open to residents of the State of Alaska. A desigProof coins are struck in both gold and silver, utilizing the design of the winning piece of art. Silver one ounce medallions are perhaps the most common, and collectors do pay a premium on them, especially some older pieces. However, two ounce silver medallions are minted, as are fractional medallions, smaller than one ounce, are produced for sets. Gilded silver medallions that are selectively enhanced with 24 – karat gold are also produced. Gold medallions are also minted, but with the price of gold they are in low numbers.
The state law in Alaska prohibits any more Official Alaska State Medallions to be minted than the demand for a given year requires. This assures the collectors that the medallions will not be replicated at a later date. It has also caused a high price for older medallions, which were minted in very low quantities. Some two ounce medallions have mintages well below one hundred pieces.
The obverse of the medallions contains the Seal of the State of Alaska. The reverse contains the image of the winning artist’s design.
The Official Alaska State Medallions are minted in 0.999 fine silver, and have a proof finish. They are minted by the Alaska Mint, a private mint in Anchorage, Alaska.n is made and submitted, and must be of something relevant to Alaska. This is a very nice way of a state to encourage the artists who live within the state.
The dominate theme of the winning designs has been animals, including birds and fish as well as mammals. Animals make great images, and people gravitate towards them.
The art is then the property of the State of Alaska, and the medallion can utilize it.
It is possible, and has happened, that he same artist has won in multiple years.
The Proof Coins
Proof coins are struck in both gold and silver, utilizing the design of the winning piece of art. Silver one ounce medallions are perhaps the most common, and collectors do pay a premium on them, especially some older pieces. However, two ounce silver medallions are minted, as are fractional medallions, smaller than one ounce, are produced for sets. Gilded silver medallions that are selectively enhanced with 24 – karat gold are also produced. Gold medallions are also minted, but with the price of gold they are in low numbers.
The state law in Alaska prohibits any more Official Alaska State Medallions to be minted than the demand for a given year requires. This assures the collectors that the medallions will not be replicated at a later date. It has also caused a high price for older medallions, which were minted in very low quantities. Some two ounce medallions have mintages well below one hundred pieces.
The obverse of the medallions contains the Seal of the State of Alaska. The reverse contains the image of the winning artist’s design.
The Official Alaska State Medallions are minted in 0.999 fine silver, and have a proof finish. They are minted by the Alaska Mint, a private mint in Anchorage, Alaska.
Official Alaska State Medallions
http://shop.alaskamint.com/1-oz-Silver-Gold-Relief-Official-Alaska-State-Medallions_c12.htm
The Lower quality Version
Well, there is also a proof-like medallion minted, also minted in 0.999 fine silver. If it is not the proof medallion, the value drops significantly. These are not mentioned so often, but please understand they exist, especially if you purchase a medallion online.
The proof medallions have a serial number stamped on them, the location of this stamp is on the edge. The lower value version has a reeded edge, which in coin terminology means it has ridges and valleys like quarters have. The original reason for reeded edges on coins was to prevent people from shaving precious metal from gold and silver coins, and once enough would have been accumulated it would be melted down. Well, the stamped edge also serves this purpose, so the proof coins have no need to have reeded edges.
The Puffin in the introduction to this leaf was a lower quality medallion, but it still had some value. The obverse of that particular medallion is shown here.
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