For over 100 years, millions of young people around the world have been Scouts. In 2010 the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) celebrated its 100th anniversary. My dad, an Eagle Scout and coin collector, thought it would be cool if a commemorative coin could be created in honor of Scouts. He was able to make that dream a reality with some help from the American Numismatic Association.
British Scouts
Robert Baden-Powell was an English military hero who published a book called Aids for Scouting. The book was extremely popular with English children, who loved learning the training for military scouts, such as wilderness survival and firemaking. On July 25, 1907, Baden-Powell organized a 10-night test campout with 21 boys to Brownsea Island in Dorsetshire. Through games, he taught the boys about boating, camping, lifesaving, and survival skills. Their first meeting was so successful that he adapted his military book to a text titled Scouting for Boys, which was published the following year. The Boy Scouts had been born!
(Photo: Library of Congress)
Boy Scouts in America
In 1909 William Boyce, a Chicago publisher, was lost in the foggy streets of London. A Boy Scout stopped to help and point him in the right direction. When Boyce offered to tip the Scout, he refused, explaining that he would not accept a tip for simply doing a good deed. Boyce was inspired to create an American adaptation of the Boy Scouts. The following year, Boyce established the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The BSA also taught skills like Baden-Powell’s group, and Scouts could earn merit badges to prove their knowledge. Coin Collecting was added as a merit badge in 1938.
Fast forward 63 years to 2001. The BSA was holding a National Jamboree, and the ANA advertised for Eagle Scouts to serve as staff at the Coin Collecting merit badge booth. My father, Jeffrey Swindling, applied for a spot and got it! During the Jamboree, while discussing ideas for new Coin Collecting merit badge requirements with collector George Cuhaj, he came up with the idea for a commemorative coin that would be issued in 2007 for the 100th anniversary of Scouting. My dad shared his thoughts with the ANA, who, in turn, contacted representatives in Congress to try to make it happen.
Commemorative Coin
In 2005 the ANA was still trying to get a law for the coin passed. However, not enough legislators supported the bill in time for it to become law in 2007. Then, my dad realized that the 100th anniversary of the BSA was coming up in 2010, which would give Congress enough time to pass a law for the organization’s centennial. At the April 6, 2006, ANA Board of Governors meeting, the Board unanimously passed a resolution to support the coin’s creation. This time, there was enough support in Congress. Two hundred forty-eight members of the House and Senate were once part of the Boy Scouts, which led to an almost unanimous vote to pass the legislation. H.R. 5872 was passed through the House of Representatives on May 15, 2008, and it sailed through the Senate on September 22. On October 8, President George W. Bush approved Public Law 110-363. The coin was now ready to be designed!
The Design Process
U.S. Mint artists came up with 17 proposed designs—12 obverses and 5 reverses. The next step was for the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) to make a design recommendation. The CFA met on June 18, 2009, and chose design No. 4 (showing a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venture Scout saluting, with the phrase “Continuing the Journey”) and No. 6 (depicting a 1910 Scout pointing the way for a 2010 Scout) as options for the obverse, and design No. 5 (a simplified Scout emblem) for the reverse. The CCAC selected a 1910 Scout helping a 2010 Scout climb a mountain (No. 8) for the obverse and the Scout emblem with scrolls above and below (No. 4) for the reverse. The meeting was held at the ANA’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, and my dad was excited to be able to attend and provide feedback to the CCAC.
(Photo: Roger Burdette)
(Photo: Roger Burdette)
On September 16, 2009, Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner chose obverse No. 4 and reverse No. 5 for the coin, saying that it “represents how the Boy Scouts of America organization has evolved over the past century to serve all the youth of America, including girls.” Per the U.S. Mint, it was “selected at the recommendation of the United States Mint, after consultation with the Boy Scouts of America and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, as well as review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.” U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Donna Weaver designed the obverse, which was sculpted by Charles L. Vickers. The reverse was designed by U.S. Mint Sculptor–Engraver Jim Licaretz. The U.S. Mint officially unveiled the designs for the coin on December 17. The law authorized 350,000 total coins to be made in proof and uncirculated versions. A $10 surcharge would go to the National BSA Foundation to support Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
Girls in Scouting
Once the final design was announced, not everybody approved. Many questioned why a girl was on a Boy Scout coin. The girl is there because she represents Venture Scouts. Now, in 2025, it makes more sense because girls are allowed at all levels of Scouting. People also thought the reverse design was too simplistic and boring. Others commented on the accuracy of the patches on the Scouts. I believe that the Cub Scout should have more rank patches, or there should at least be more detail on the existing patch.
(Photos: U.S. Mint)
Launch Ceremony
The Mint began striking the coins and scheduled an official launch ceremony for March 27, 2010, which coincided with the ANA National Money Show® in Fort Worth, Texas, which is near the BSA headquarters. Four people were invited to speak at the ceremony: my dad as the ANA YN and Scout Committee chairperson and initiator of the idea for the coin; Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca; U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy; and Paul Porter, a 6th grade Boy Scout from Colleyville, Texas. Sales began on March 23, 2010, and coins could be ordered for $33.95, but the price increased to $35.95 on April 22. By May 3, they were sold out! According to the mint’s final sales figures, 244,963 proof and 105,020 uncirculated coins were sold, which resulted in $3.5 million for the BSA!
A Special Coin
I decided to write about this coin because I am a Cub Scout myself. My current rank is Webelos, and I do many fun things with my friends at Den and Pack meetings. The BSA centennial silver dollar in my collection is special because my dad came up with the idea for the coin! The coin is also a great reminder of the history of Scouting and its future potential. Maybe I will be involved in the BSA’s 150th anniversary celebrations!