U.S. MINT EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR PURCHASING SAN FRANCISCO OLD MINT COMMEMORATIVE COINS, PROGRAM ESTABLISHED FOR BULK PURCHASES
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO – The U.S. Mint has extended the deadline for individual purchases of San Francisco Old Mint commemorative coins until Dec. 15, and will allow bulk purchases of the coins from Dec. 1 through Dec. 20.
The $5 dollar gold and $1 silver coins, each with images emblematic of the Old Mint, were authorized in June by an Act of Congress. A total of 600,000 coins are being minted, 100,000 in gold and 500,000 in silver. To date, about half have sold.
This is the first time commemorative coins have been struck to raise funds to benefit an historic mint building. Surcharges from the sale of the coins will raise up to $8.5 million, which is being earmarked to help fund an $86 million renovation of the Old Mint. When complete, the 70,000 square foot building will house the San Francisco Museum of History as well as the American Money & Gold Rush Museum, which will be operated by the American Numismatic Association. The project is scheduled for completion in 2010.
“We are very pleased that the U.S. Mint has agreed to extend the deadline for purchasing these beautiful coins, and that established coin dealers may now purchase these commemoratives in bulk,” said ANA Executive Director Chris Cipoletti. “Working with the San Francisco Historical Society in this historic building will introduce hundreds of thousands of people to the world of money, and will provide an easily accessible money museum on the West Coast.”
Cipoletti said the ANA is playing a leadership role in making sure the museum gets built and is successful, and that the Association will be involved in all aspects of the project from fundraising to creating exhibits.
The commemorative coins can be ordered by visiting www.usmint.gov or by calling 1-800-872-6468. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-6468. Bulk sales are available at pre-issue prices and in unpackaged form. To qualify for the bulk purchase discount, dealers must submit orders between Dec. 1 and Dec. 20, purchase a minimum of 100 silver coins and/or 25 gold coins, be an approved dealer of the U.S. Mint’s Bulk Program, and make payment via wire transfer. For information on becoming an approved dealer, visit the U.S. Mint website and click on “consumer awareness.”
Individuals may purchase $5 proof gold coins for $255; uncirculated $5 proof gold coins for $245; $1 proof silver coins for $39, and $1 uncirculated silver coins for $35. Dealers should visit www.usmint.gov for pricing information, or call 202-354-7462.
Originally Release Date: November 22, 2006
ANA Contacts: Phone: 719-482-9853
Email: pr@money.org