NGC Signs Signature Label Deal with Chris Costello

Chris Costello, an award-winning US coin designer, has agreed to individually hand-sign certification labels exclusively for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®). Known for his dignified and exacting style, Costello has designed over 20 coins and medals for the US Mint.

The Costello-designed 2019 America the Beautiful San Antonio Missions Quarter reverse (NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo) with Costello’s NGC Signature Label. Click coin image to enlarge.

An avid collector since childhood, Costello had always dreamed of designing an American coin. Selection to the US Mint's Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) in 2010 has enabled him to design many. At the time Costello joined the AIP, renowned Chief Engraver John Mercanti told him that working for the US Mint would be the most challenging chapter of his artistic career. For Costello, that turned out to be truer than he imagined but, moreover, extraordinarily rewarding.

In 2019, he received a Coin of the Year Award at the World Money Fair for his work on the reverse of the 2017-W American Liberty 225th Anniversary $100 gold coin. The same year, his design was chosen for the obverse of the $5 gold coin in the 2019 American Legion 100^th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program. It incorporates the outer rays of the American Legion Seal, the Eiffel Tower and a “V” for victory, together representing the end of World War I and the founding of the American Legion in Paris in 1919.

A 2019-W American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative $5 (NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo) with Costello’s NGC Signature Label. Click coin image to enlarge.

Other recent highlights in Costello’s career include the 2019 America the Beautiful San Antonio Missions Quarter reverse, the 2018 America the Beautiful Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Quarter reverse, the 2018 World War I Centennial Marine Corps Silver Medal obverse, the 2018 World War I Centennial Navy Silver Medal obverse and the 2017 Native American $1 Coin reverse.

Costello’s influence on US coinage will be felt for years to come. In 2021, he will once again contribute to the America the Beautiful Quarters Program with the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site reverse, the final coin in the series.

“Creating lasting impressions of the American experience through numismatic art calls for the highest standards of originality, accuracy and creativity as an artist and a storyteller,” said Costello. “I am honored to be part of NGC’s Signature Labels program.”

“We are thrilled that Chris Costello will be among the US Mint coin designers, engravers and sculptors who autograph NGC certification labels,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman and Grading Finalizer. “A collection of coins with the signatures of the artists who created them is an impressive presentation with a personal connection.”

The roster of US Mint coin designers, sculptors and engravers who exclusively hand-sign NGC certification labels includes John M. Mercanti, 12th US Mint Chief Engraver; Elizabeth Jones, 11th US Mint Chief Engraver; Don Everhart, US Mint Lead Sculptor/Engraver; Joel Iskowitz, AIP Coin and Medal Designer; Lyndall Bass, Union Shield Cent Designer; Glenna Goodacre, Sacagawea Dollar Designer; and Cassie McFarland, Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Designer. 

To learn more about NGC Signature Labels, click here.