The following is a Press Release from Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) announcing that Beth Zaiken, designer of the 2021-W American Liberty High Relief gold coin, will be signing labels for the coin as part of the grading company’s signature label series.
Beth Zaiken, a Minnesota-based professional artist and illustrator and participant in the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program (AIP), has agreed to individually hand-sign certification labels exclusively for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®). During her time with the AIP, Zaiken has created the obverse designs for the 2020 Women’s Suffrage Centennial Silver Medal and the 2021-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin, which is scheduled for release on August 19, 2021.
Zaiken’s work for the US Mint is especially emotive and evocative, conveying strong messages and ideas. For the 2021-W American Liberty coin, she portrays the feeling of Liberty with a quintessential American icon: a strong, free Mustang throwing off its saddle centered in front of a rising sun. The image is meant to represent the throwing off of the yoke of British rule during the American Revolution.
“It has been an honor to bring my lifelong passions for the natural world, history and biology to my work as part of the US Mint AIP program,” Zaiken said. “I am excited to extend my enthusiasm through this collaboration with the NGC Hand-Signed Label Program and provide a personal connection to my coin designs.”
“Beth Zaiken has contributed some wonderful designs to numismatics,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Senior Grading Finalizer. “NGC is excited to offer certification labels with her signature to enhance the presentation of the coins that she has designed.”
When she is not designing coins, Zaiken is a principal artist and lead muralist for Blue Rhino Studio, a prominent museum fabrication company that creates a broad range of custom art for museums, zoos and cultural centers around the world. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, holding a B.F.A. in Illustration.
NGC Authentic Hand-Signed Labels pair a notable person’s autograph with a coin to create a one-of-a-kind collectible. Zaiken joins a diverse roster of NGC Signature Label signers, including Edmund C. Moy, 38th US Mint Director; Elizabeth Jones, 11th US Mint Chief Engraver; and Gov. Hon. Mike Castle, who also served as a member of the US House of Representatives.
To learn more about NGC Authentic Hand-Signed labels, click here.