2018 $5 Gold Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin

History of the Coin:
The $5 Gold Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin was officially established as part of the commemorative coin program of the same name on April 29, 2016. As the first-ever “rose” or pink-colored gold coin issued by the U.S. Mint, this piece serves not only as a unique part of American coinage but also as an excellent way to add depth, value, and complexity to any precious metals holding. 

U.S. Commemorative Coin Programs are established by the United States Congress to honor significant people, places, or events, and the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act was enacted to do just that for a disease that affects thousands of Americans each year. In April of 2016, the act officially established $5 gold, $1 silver and half-dollar-clad versions of the Program’s commemorative coins, with each denomination carrying its own designated proceed value that is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act also required the design of the coins' obverse and reverse to be selected by way of competition. The competition committee, which was made up of members from the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, invited a select group of artists to submit motifs emblematic of the battle against breast cancer. The winning designs, which are shared amongst all coins in the program, were created by Emily Damstra, an artist in the U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program. Damstra is also known for her many design contributions to the Royal Canadian Mint.

Damstra’s obverse features a striking image of two left-facing women – one older, one younger – standing side by side. The older woman appears calm and at peace, with eyes closed and both hands resting against her chest. In contrast, the younger woman takes on a dynamic stance, with raised right hand clasped into a fist, and left arm crossed firmly across her chest, as if ready for a battle. This younger woman dons a headscarf, while the older woman's short locks flow freely, implying that the two women are presumably experiencing different stages of the breast cancer fight. A butterfly soars overhead, while the symbolic looped ribbon is seen in the left background. The words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” line the top and bottom edges of the coin’s obverse respectively. Additionally, the coin’s issue year of 2018 is inscribed along the obverse’s bottom edge, while the artist’s initials, “ESD,” and the coin’s West Point mintmark flank the left and ride sides of the image.

The coin’s reverse depicts a large Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, symbolizing hope. Encircling the butterfly are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “FIVE DOLLARS” to the top, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” AND “BREAST CANCER AWARENESS” to the bottom. The artist’s initials also appear on the reverse of the coin.

Coin Highlights:

• Each coin contains 85% gold that is pink in color.
• For every coin sold, $35 is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation by the U.S. Mint. Wholesale Coins Direct is also donating a portion of our proceeds to the same organization to help further breast cancer research advances.
• The obverse depicts a striking and symbolic image of two women, presumably in different stages of their battle against breast cancer.
• The reverse is beautifully designed with a butterfly image representing hope and soul.
• Minted at West Point.
• Backed by the U.S. government, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Why invest in the coin?
The $5 Gold Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin boasts both beautiful artistry and unique detailing, further enhancing its desirability and value. At .850 inches in diameter, the $5 Gold Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin fits in the palm of the hand, allowing for easy transport and storage. Wholesale Coins Direct offers clients only the highest-rated quality of the $5 commemorative coin, which is a Proof version with a grade of 70. Out of the maximum 50,000 $5 gold pieces produced, a mere one to two percent will reach PF70 status, making these coins highly valuable and excellent additions to investment portfolios of all shapes and sizes. The $5 Gold Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin is the first-ever rose-colored gold coin issued by the U.S. Mint, further adding to its value and investment quality.