United States Mint Director Ed Moy will present the Nation's first coin with readable Braille at 10:00 a.m. on March 26, at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland.  NFB President Marc Maurer will join in the presentation of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, along with invited guests that include mathematician and inventor Abraham Nemeth; and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Assistant Administrator for Education Joyce Winterton.  NFB first Vice President Frederic Schroeder will serve as the event's Master of Ceremonies.  The presentation includes a special videotaped message from U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd, one of the sponsors of Public Law 109-247-the Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act.

The United States Mint, authorized by Public Law 109-247, is issuing the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar to honor the life and work of the man who invented the Braille method of reading and writing by the blind that has allowed millions of blind people to be literate participants in their societies.  The Public Law also provides that a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the commemorative coins is authorized to be paid to the NFB to further its programs to promote Braille literacy. 

The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar features a portrait of Louis Braille on the obverse (heads side).  The reverse (tails side) design depicts a child reading a Braille book.  The word INDEPENDENCE is displayed on a bookshelf behind the child and the word Braille, abbreviated BRL in Braille code, is featured in the upper field. 

To view and download a digital image of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, go to:
http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=Photo#2009LouisBraille

WHAT:  Presentation of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar

WHO:  United States Mint Director Ed Moy
           Senator Christopher J. Dodd via videotape
           National Federation of the Blind President Marc Mauer
           National Federation of the Blind First Vice President Fred Schroeder (Master of Ceremonies)
           American Mathematician and Inventor Abraham Nemeth
           National Aeronautics and Space Administration Assistant Administrator for Education Joyce Winterton

WHEN: Thursday, March 26, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.
   
WHERE: National Federation of the Blind Headquarters
              1800 Johnson Street
              Baltimore, MD  21230

There will be no satellite feed as indicated earlier.