2019 Official Alaska State Medallion

The obverse of every medallion in the series is the State Seal of Alaska, which depicts an image of an Alaskan lake in front of a mountain. 

The 2019 medallion has the title “Bear and Fireweed,” and shows a bear walking from left to right through the Alaskan foliage.  The bear is partially outlined, and has an abstract look to it.

This particular medallion was designed by the artist Natalie Treadwell.  

The design must represent an aspect of Alaska.  For years this was fulfilled by an animal significant to Alaska filling the reverse of the medallion.  More recent designs, while including wildlife, also focus on other factors of Alaska, such as mountains or foliage.  Wildlife is not specifically mentioned in the contest rules, but wildlife seems to be a traditional component of the design.

The Official Alaska State Medallion comes in bronze, silver, and gold.  The silver and gold medallions have a purity of 0.999.  The silver medallions come in a number of sizes from as small as one-twentieth of an ounce to as large as two ounces, while the gold medallions can be found as small as one-twentieth of an ounce to as large as three ounces.  Also, some silver medallions are selectively plated in twenty-four karat gold.  The proof medallions have edge engraving that includes a serial number.  Proof medallions carry a greater value.  A one-ounce fine silver proof-like medallion also exists.  It has a reeded edge, which makes distinguishing between proof and proof-like medallions easier.

Medallions are also available in sets of a variety of sizes.

Since the mintage is determined by a yearly demand, some older medallions have low mintages, and as a result command a high value.  This is a set well worth consideration that includes a number of very beautiful art designs that have been used over the years.