WASHINGTON - The United States Mint is pleased to offer the public a special Braille Education Set that will be available for purchase beginning noon Eastern Time (ET) October 8, 2009.  The set is a tri-fold binder containing one uncirculated 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, educational material and readable Braille.  The coin is struck in 90 percent silver.

Production of the Braille Education Set is limited to 25,000 units.  Orders for the set will be limited to one set per household. 

The Braille Education Set is priced at $44.95.  The United States Mint will accept orders at its secure Web site, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, or at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Customers should add $4.95 to all domestic orders for shipping and handling costs.

Louis Braille invented a system of reading and writing that has allowed the blind to be literate participants in society.  The Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act (Act) (Public Law 109-247) authorizes the United States Mint to mint and issue $1 silver coins in proof and uncirculated conditions to mark the bicentennial anniversary of Louis Braille's birth.  The Act also authorizes the agency to pay surcharges collected from coin sales to the National Federation of the Blind to further its programs to promote Braille literacy.

The United States Mint, the nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, was created by Congress in 1792.  Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the nation to conduct its trade and commerce.  The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver gold and platinum bullion coins.

Note:  To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of noon ET on October 8, 2009, shall not be deemed accepted by the United States Mint and will not be honored. For more information, please review the United States Mint's Frequently Asked Questions, Answer ID #175.