1963 AR Medal D1963-2c, Padre Serra (Regular Strike)

The Padre Junípero Serra 250th Anniversary Medal

Authorized by an Public Law No. 88-143 and designed by future U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro, this medal commemorates the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Franciscan friar and Catholic saint. Originally distributed through the Old Mission Santa Barbara in California, the piece is of interest to collectors of religious themes, California history, and the works of Frank Gasparro. It also poses a fascinating "what if": had the classic commemorative program continued into the 1960s, would medals like this have been struck as half dollars instead?

Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the silver medal measures 33.30 millimetes in diameter and features a full-figure portrait of Serra holding a cross aloft on the obverse, with a Spanish ship visible in the distant background. The inscriptions read: "PADRE JUNIPERO SERRA, O.F.M." (Order of Friars Minor) at the top. "APOSTLE OF CALIFORNIA" to the left; "250th ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH" to the right, along with the Dual-dates of "1713" and "1963."

The reverse depicts the state of California with the historic Spanish missions marked along the coast. To the right of the state, a large cross is featured alongside a facsimile of Serra’s signature. The motto reads: "ALWAYS TO GO FORWARD AND NEVER TO TURN BACK – CALIFORNIA."

Mintage and Original Issue Prices

The Padre Junípero Serra 250th Anniversary Medal was struck in four distinct compositions, with the gold and platinum issues being exceptionally rare.

• Platinum (#75958) | 25 Struck | $500 Issue Price
• Gold (#75959) | 5 Struck |
• Silver (#634348) | 10,000 Struck | $25 Issue Price
• Bronze (#75962) | 2,000 Struck | $10 Issue Price

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