The year was 2003: Anyone remember the USmint pricing on the National Wildlife Refuge medals?

Bochiman · May 4, 2026 12:44AM

Doing some "spring cleaning" around the house and finding things that I haven't seen in, literally, decades.
Among them are the 4 set of 2003 National Wildlife Refuge medals from the USMint, with some extras of the Canvasback Duck edition.

The original mint price doesn't matter when valuing now, but I was curious if anyone recalls the actual price from the mint? Silver spot price was MUCH lower then
(and the mint didn't appear quite as "greedy" as they do today). Obviously, still a good markup back then, but I can't find my original invoice and there's been some moves inbetween anyway, so I figured I would come to the illuminati here on the forums to see if anyone definitively knows.

Thx

dan91659 · May 4, 2026 4:33AM

https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/20030617-silver-national-wildlife-refuge-system-centennial-medals-available-by-subscription

mach19 · May 4, 2026 7:23AM

$29.50 The good old day's !!

Bochiman · May 4, 2026 12:35PM

Thanks

johnt · May 4, 2026 4:13PM

This is really a beautiful set. It's one of those sideline releases that many have forgotten.

Bochiman · May 4, 2026 4:15PM

@johnt said:
This is really a beautiful set. It's one of those sideline releases that many have forgotten.

I originally bought them for a family member but, sadly, he passed away before they arrived.
So, I just held onto them and forgot them.

As I decrease my collection, they go into the "gonna go soon" pile, but I do agree, they are a different type of thing and are pretty cool...and are silver at least (90%) instead of just clad.

MsMorrisine · May 4, 2026 6:27PM

are they marked 90%? coin silver would be odd for a medal

MsMorrisine · May 4, 2026 6:35PM

hmmmm the COA in a ebay listing does show 90%. I guess the ASE blank idea hadn't hit them yet

Bochiman · May 4, 2026 9:25PM

@MsMorrisine said:
are they marked 90%? coin silver would be odd for a medal

I call them medals, because they really aren't coins, but, yes, their COA lists 90% silver and they are.

Remember, this was back in 2003, when you was really a young'un

The year was 2003: Anyone remember the USmint pricing on the National Wildlife Refuge medals?

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