Official Alaska State Medallions(2012 Wolves Now Available)

The State of Alaska officially sanctions, by statute, the minting of an Official Alaska State Medallion annually. One side of the medallion depicts a scene involving wildlife. The other side contains the Great Seal of the State of Alaska.

The wildlife used changes annually, and is reproduced from a winning entry from an artist. The artist must, by law, be a resident of the state of Alaska. The law also requires that no more medallions be struck than the demand for them that year requires. Once that demand is met, the medallions are never again to be produced.

The Alaska Mint has produced these since 1992. The first coin minted for the series by the Alaska Mint was the eagle. The 2011 issue is the Bald Eagle. According to the official site there were 1989 through 1991 issues that were minted outside of Alaska, but the 1992 Eagle seems to be what many consider the start of the series.

The coins are minted in fine silver, fine silver gilded with twenty-four karat gold, and twenty-four karat gold. The most common silver medallion is the one Troy ounce coin. Coins as small as one-tenth Troy ounce are minted, but they are usually found in proof sets. Each year some, usually just a few, two Troy ounce coins are minted, but are not included in the proof sets.

The gilded coins are minted in a multitude of sizes.

Gold medallions are minted in sizes up to three Troy ounces.

The real collectible medallions are the ones minted in proof and stamped with a number on the edge. A reeded edge, less expensive, fine silver medallion can also be found. The reeded edge medallions are considered proof-like, and are not numbered.

The 2012 Wolves medallion is now out. The design consists of a pair of wolves, ans is available in silver, silver gilded with gold, and gold at the Alaska Mint. This is another beautiful addition to the series!

The value of these medallions is preserved by not handling them. Handling any medallion can reduce its desirability. Even if no damage is observed, the oils from a finger can cause damage in future years. Proper handling is to hold the medallion by the edge.

Keep the medallion on an air tight capsule approved for coins. Pollutants can slowly damage an exposed medallion.

Keep all materials that came with the medallion from the mint with it. Boxes and Certificates of Authenticity enhance the value of the medallions.

Technically, to be considered a coin an object must be minted by the authority of a government that has its own money. Furthermore, all coins must have a denomination of currency stamped on them. Since Alaska is part of the United States, and is not authorized to mint its own money, it would be improper to call these medallions coins.

992 EAGLE
1993 WOLF
1994 GRIZZLY BEAR
1995 PUFFINS
1996 CARIBOU
1997 MUSK OX
1998 MOOSE
1999 RAM
2000 FOX
2001 MOUNTAIN GOAT
2002 KING CRAB
2003 LYNX
2004 POLAR BEAR
2005 BLACK-TAILED DEER
2006 KING SALMON
2007 GEESE
2008 ALASKA WILDLIFE
2009 HUMPBACK WHALE
2010 BLACK BEAR
2011 Bald Eagle
2012 Wolves