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Presidential $1 Coin ProgramFinal 2008 Currency Scheduled for Distribution
Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren are the last two presidents to be commemorated in 2008 as part of the U.S. Mint's Presidential $1 Coin Campaign
Following in the footsteps of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar Coin and the 50 States Quarter Program, the U.S. Mint is circulating presidential dollar coins to honor the nation's chief executives. The Presidential $1 Coin ActPresident George W. Bush signed the Presidential $1 Coin Act in 2005. The act calls for the U.S. Mint to produce a series of $1 coins carrying the portrait of past presidents. It also directs the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve to assure "robust circulation" of the new coins. The act states that the purposes of the program include increasing circulation of the $1 coin and creating a new bullion coin. Presidential Coin DesignThe U.S. Mint describes their new collection of coins as "bold and dynamic". One side of the golden coin depicts the bust of the featured president along with the president's name, term of office and number indicating the order in which the presidents served. An image of the Statue of Liberty graces the other side of the coin. To allow larger images of each president, the inscription "E Pluribus Unum," a motto found on the Great Seal of the United States, and "In God We Trust" was moved to the edge of the coins. In addition, the coin's year of mint and mint mark surround the edge of the coin. The unique coins feature distinctive tactile and rim attributes for the visually impaired as well as an electromagnetic signature making them ready for use in vending machines that except dollar coins. Presidential Coin Release ScheduleThe first presidential $1 coin, dedicated to George Washington, came out February 15, 2007. Four coins are released each year in the order in which the presidents served. According to the U.S. Mint website, Andrew Jackson's coin will be released August 14, 2008 followed by Martin Van Buren's coin November 13, 2008. Four new coins will be introduced in 2009 featuring William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor, the ninth through twelfth presidents. No official dates have been announced for the future coins but all previous coins have followed a February, May, August, and November release schedule. Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford will be immortalized in the final two coins released in 2016. Finding Presidential $1 CoinsThe Dallas Morning News reported July 23, 2008 that more than a billion $1 coins have been released since February 2007. However, according to the same report, most Americans, aside from collectors, aren't aware of them. There are a number of ways to get the presidential $1 coins. Banks, credit unions, thrift institutions and some retail businesses are the first port of call for those who want small quantities of the coins. Sets of uncirculated coins are also available for order by year on the U.S. Mint website. Rolls and bags of individual coins can be purchased through the U.S. Mint in quantities of 25 and 250. The U.S. Mint also offers free presidential coin materials for coin collectors such as display boards, and informational bookmarks, posters, and stickers. The one-of-a kind series of presidential coins offers a combination of historical significance, educational value and attractive design. Avid coin collectors will be occupied for years as each new set of four $1 coins is released to the public.
The copyright of the article Presidential $1 Coin Program in Collecting Stamps/Coins is owned by Porcshe Moran. Permission to republish Presidential $1 Coin Program in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Jul 30, 2008 8:57 AM
Susan Cramer :
1 Comment:
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