The United States Mint will be releasing a special curved coin in 2014 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The coins will have a baseball on its reverse side ("tails") and a glove on its obverse ("heads") side. The glove side is concave just like a glove, and the ball is convex to mimic a spherical shape. The glove was designed by Cassie McFarland, who won the "Batter Up" public design competition, which was judged by Joe Morgan, Brooks Robinson, Ozzie Smith, Don Sutton, and Dave Winfield. The official blurb about the design:
Built upon the value of community, Baseball is the backbone of American culture. Raised loving the native pastime, a glove assisted me not only as a tool, but helped foster communication and trust between my family and peers. It is a fundamental symbol for teamwork and camaraderie. The shape of the glove also highlights the concavity of the coin. Two wheat sheaves unite with the braided lace of the glove to form a ring. This stands for American unity, stitched together to form one nation. The wheat celebrates a love for our bountiful land and home.
There will be three versions of the coin: a $0.50 copper/nickel clad, a $1 silver, and a $5 gold. I want all three.
The Royal Canadian Mint did not produce any baseball coins until earlier this year, when they produced a series to commemorate the Blue Jays-destroying World Baseball Classic. The series consisted of four 1 oz silver coins: a runner, a left-handed fielder (probably an outfielder, his glove looks big enough), a pitcher with pretty bad-looking mechanics, and a hitter failing to check a swing--all wearing high socks. In addition, a 1/4 oz. gold coin features a baseball, another featuring bats and a diamond, and a $1550 1/2 oz. gold coin showing a runner celebrating and possibly running towards Brian McCann. The coins were designed by Canadian designer Steve Hepburn. Each of the coins features a portrait of Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
The Toronto Blue Jays have never been depicted on a coin, but the bird species has. Take a look at this handsome fellow on a quarter.