Art Contest with Collectible Coins

The Official Alaska State Medallions are authorized by state statute 44.09.017.  This statute provides for an art contest to be held annually, open to residents of Alaska.  The winning design is to be used only to produce the medallions in a quantity to meet the demand of that year, and no more shall be made.  The design must pertain to Alaska to be accepted in the contest.

One side of every Official Alaska State Medallion must bear the seal of the State of Alaska.  This side does not change annually.

The image used as the introduction image belongs to Black Spaniel Gallery.

The design must be pertinent to Alaska.  Since the first medallion the winning designs have always been images of wildlife native to Alaska or to the waters off Alaska.  

The 2016  design, Wolf in Front of Denali, includes both wildlife and a mountain making it a particularly beautiful design.

The other designs, starting with the first year of 1992, are shown below.

1992 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

2013 PTARMIGAN

2014 MOOSE

2015 POLAR BEARS

Notice that once an animal is used it remains available to be used in the future.

The proof Official Alaska State Medallion is usually minted in low numbers, and many older medallions command a high value. 

The medallions are minted in fine silver, and in pure gold.  They are also minted in fine silver gilded with gold selectively, making for some strikingly beautiful pieces.  In 2016 bronze medallions are also being minted for the first time.

The medallions come in a multitude of sizes, and some sizes like the two ounce silver medallions have had extremely low mintages.

One word of caution is needed.  The proof medallions are the prized collectibles, but a proof-like medallion is also available at a lower price.  These can be distinguished by the edge.  A proof medallion has a plain edges with the serial number engraved into it.  The proof-like medallions have reeded edges, which is a series of high and low lines, like the old silver coinage of the United States, and carried to modern times in the quarters and dimes.

As with coins, a medallion missing its original box or its Certificate of Authenticity may have a reduction in what collectors are willing to pay.

The Official Alaska state Medallions are limited to the demand during the year of issue.  However, they are made by the Alaska Mint, which is a private mint in Alaska.  The same animals often appear in other medallions minted by the Alaska Mint.  As long as the same design is not used these are allowed, but collectors of the Official Alaska State Medallions are unlikely to pay a high premium for them. 

The other series minted by the Alaska Mint that may have some collectability above the generic medallions are the Iditarod medallions, but I choose to not include them here because I am not convinced the dogs should have to endure the race.  

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