National Wildlife Refuge System Medals

About This Coin

Celebrating America's network of protected lands dedicated to wildlife conservation, the National Wildlife Refuge System Medals honor individual refuges and the broader mission of habitat preservation across the United States. Produced at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 75,000 pieces across the series, these medals feature designs depicting the signature species and landscapes of specific wildlife refuges — from the whooping cranes of Aransas to the grizzly bears of Kodiak, the migratory waterfowl of the Prairie Pothole region, and the endangered species protected within the system's 560-plus refuges spanning all fifty states and multiple territories. The National Wildlife Refuge System, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 with the creation of Pelican Island in Florida, represents one of America's most significant conservation achievements. These medals serve as both collectible numismatic objects and portable ambassadors for the conservation mission, connecting collectors with the natural heritage preserved within the refuge system. The detailed wildlife artwork on each medal reflects the U.S. Mint's engraving expertise applied to natural history subjects, producing pieces that appeal to nature enthusiasts and wildlife art collectors beyond the traditional numismatic audience. Within the U.S. Mint Medals series, National Wildlife Refuge System Medals combine conservation advocacy with medallic art. A notable auction result reached $165 in PR69DCAM grade at eBay.