2003 wildlife refuge silver medals

The first silver medal series ever offered by the United States Mint, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The limited-edition 2003 National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Medal Series shares a common obverse honoring President Theodore Roosevelt, the father of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and four successive reverse images

highlighting the system’s diversity. The bald eagle silver medal version of the same design was the first in the series to be offered. The reverse design depicts a bald eagle in flight with a treetop background, and the inscription “BALD EAGLE” at the top right. The three remaining silver medals – depicting an elk, salmon, and

canvasback ducks – were successively released every four to six weeks. There was no production limit on the bronze bald eagle medal. Production was limited to 35,000 for the silver bald eagle medal, and 25,000 each for the elk, salmon, and canvasback ducks designs. They were finished in a similar fashion to that of proof coins, which feature distinctive matte-finish artwork on a mirror-finish background. The medals were the first United States Mint product to use laser technology. The silver medals are 1.5 inches in diameter with a smooth edge, struck in proof-like condition, encapsulated in plastic and packaged in their own presentation cases with a United States Mint blue velvet finish. A certificate of authenticity from United States Mint is also enclosed. The medals were struck in the Philadelphia, Mint facility but will not bear a mint mark.

All four medals in original box and presentation case with certificate of authenticity

$275.00