1990 Yosemite National Park Centennial Medal - Yellow Bronze 76mm

Coin Details

Description

This 1990 Yosemite National Park Centennial medal in yellow bronze at 76mm diameter is a companion piece to the standard bronze version (PCGS #506958), with the yellow bronze alloy giving it a warmer, more golden appearance. The medal commemorates the 100th anniversary of Yosemite's establishment as a national park in 1890, though the valley had been protected as a state-managed preserve since 1864 under a grant signed by President Lincoln. Yosemite's transition to full national park status in 1890, championed by John Muir and supported by a national conservation movement, set the standard for federal land preservation that would be expanded under Theodore Roosevelt and subsequent presidents. The 76mm format provides ample space for depicting Yosemite's iconic landscapes — El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the giant sequoia groves that have inspired artists, writers, and visitors for over a century. The yellow bronze composition distinguishes this variant from the standard bronze striking.

Rarity Notes

Yellow bronze 76mm, variant of the standard bronze Yosemite Centennial medal. 1990 production. Available through Mint sales.

Cross References

PCGS #509484; Yosemite National Park Centennial Medal, Yellow Bronze 76mm; Established 1890