Bill and Bob AA Medallions: The People, the Design and Your Milestone
A Bill and Bob medallion adds two portraits to a sobriety keepsake. If you are choosing one for a gift, it helps to separate three things: the people represented, the modern product design, and the recipient's own milestone. The faces connect with A.A. history; the number belongs to the person receiving the coin.
Know who the two names refer to
A.A.'s historical account places its beginning in Akron, Ohio, in 1935, following the meeting of Bill W., a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob, an Akron surgeon. A.A. also publishes a booklet with biographical sketches and their final major talks. Those sources provide context beyond a product title.
You do not need to give a history lecture with the gift. A brief explanation of why the recipient likes the co-founder imagery can be more personal. If they are interested in the history, point them toward A.A.'s own material rather than treating the coin's short design description as a complete account.
Distinguish a historical reference from a historical object
Portraits of the co-founders do not establish that a coin dates from A.A.'s early years. A newly sold retail medallion can refer to 1935 while being a contemporary product. Do not describe it as vintage, rare or an original founding token without evidence about that particular object.
The catalog designs below are current retail options. Their significance can come from the recipient's interest in A.A. history and their own anniversary. A clear description is better than an unsupported story about who carried the coin or whether a founder approved its design.
Read the reverse as part of the choice
The current blue and crimson Bill and Bob listings describe co-founder imagery with sobriety time on the front and a familiar passage beginning “Rarely have we seen” on the reverse. Read the complete listing and any available views so the words suit the recipient as well as the portraits.
Do not assume that these designs have the same reverse as another triangle coin in the collection. Similar colors can appear on products with different wording. If a particular phrase is the reason for the gift, verify it before purchasing rather than relying on a general category name.
Keep the selected number personal
The anniversary number on a Bill and Bob coin is for the milestone you select. It is not the age of A.A., the age of a home group, or a combined total of several people's years. Confirm the recipient's completed duration and read the chosen option in the cart.
Main catalog images can show a sample year. The current selectors also include an 18-month option, which should not be confused with eighteen years. Give the coin with a note that connects the design to the recipient's interests, and let the historical reference support rather than overshadow their occasion.
Medallions to consider
Browse Elite Medallions and Deluxe Coins for current designs and options. Read the listing for the exact wording and included items. Numbered catalog photographs can show a sample year; use the milestone selector rather than ordering from the image alone.
Tricolor Bill & Bob Opulent Deep Blue (1-65y)
A blue Bill and Bob design from Deluxe Coins. Confirm the selected milestone and read the reverse wording in the listing.
Tricolor Bill & Bob Enchanted Crimson (1-65y)
A crimson Bill and Bob design from Deluxe Coins. Its pictured number illustrates a variant; use the actual selector for the gift.
Common questions
Are Bill and Bob the same person?
No. Bill W. and Dr. Bob were the two co-founders identified in A.A.'s historical account.
Does a 1935 reference make a coin an antique?
No. A historical date or portrait does not establish when a particular object was manufactured.
