Labels to carry artist signature
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has inked a deal for graphic artist Cassie McFarland to individually autograph NGC certification labels. McFarland’s design appears on the obverse of the 2014 Baseball Hall of…
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has inked a deal for graphic artist Cassie McFarland to individually autograph NGC certification labels. McFarland’s design appears on the obverse of the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins, the first concave coins produced by the U.S. Mint.
McFarland, a California-based graphic artist, came across the design contest for the commemorative coin on May 10, 2013, when she was 27 years old – and one day before entries were due. Her design, based on a baseball glove that had been in her family for a long time, was selected as the winner from among 178 entries.
The commemorative coins were available as a clad half dollar, silver dollar and $5 gold piece, with the latter two selling out. The 2014 coins raised millions of dollars for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the sport’s shrine in Cooperstown, N.Y., which was celebrating its 75th anniversary that year.
McFarland’s initials can be seen on the coin’s obverse, to the left of the date.
“Adding Cassie McFarland to our signature program lineup gives collectors a unique way to connect numismatics to our national pastime,” says Miles Standish, NGC vice president. “It is inspiring to work with a talented artist who has made such a valuable contribution to the numismatic world so early in her career.”
For NGC, the signature deal builds on the popularity of its grading and encapsulation services for fans of baseball and coins. Collectors and dealers have had nearly 80,000 of the Hall of Fame coins certified by NGC, according to the firm.
McFarland joins NGC’s roster of label signers, which includes Charlie Duke, an astronaut who walked on the moon; Kenneth Bressett, the longtime editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”); and John M. Mercanti, the 12th chief engraver of the U.S. Mint and designer of the American Silver Eagle reverse.
NGC says the McFarland signed labels will be available from select retailers later this year. For more information, visit www.NGCcoin.com/Labels.
This article was originally printed in Numismatic News Express. >> Subscribe today
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