WASHINGTON — The 15th coin release in the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Program will go into circulation on August 19, 2010. The design on this Presidential $1 Coin honors James Buchanan, our Nation’s 15th President. The United States Mint will celebrate the coin’s release with a ceremonial launch and coin exchange at Wheatland, the former President’s home, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on August 19. The ceremony will start at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.
The coin’s obverse (heads side), by United States Mint Artistic Sculptor–Engraver Phebe Hemphill, features Buchanan’s portrait with the inscriptions JAMES BUCHANAN, IN GOD WE TRUST, 15TH PRESIDENT and 1857–1861. The coin’s reverse (tails side) features a rendition of the iconic Statue of Liberty, by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Don Everhart, with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The year of minting or issuance, 2010, E PLURIBUS UNUM and the mint of origin are incused on the coin’s edge. To view and download high–resolution images of the circulating James Buchanan Presidential $1 Coin, go to: /coins/coin-medal-programs/presidential-dollar-coin/james-buchanan
Presidential $1 Coins, which are produced for everyday cash transactions, last for decades, are 100 percent recyclable and can save the country hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
The Presidential $1 Coins will be shipped to banks and other financial institutions in rolls, unmixed with other $1 coins. For each new design, banks may order and store the coins up to three weeks prior to the introduction so they will have supplies on hand on the release date. The coins will be available in unmixed rolls for two weeks after the introduction of each design. The special ordering process begins again when each new Presidential $1 Coin is released.
The ordering period for unmixed quantities of the James Buchanan Presidential $1 Coin began July 29. To order boxes of wrapped rolls ($1,000 minimum order) of the James Buchanan Presidential $1 Coin, depository institutions can use FedLine Web® Access Solution. In addition, local Federal Reserve Bank offices can handle special requests for $2,000 bags of unmixed James Buchanan Presidential $1 Coins, $2,000 bags of mixed $1 coins, and orders for James Buchanan Presidential $1 Coins after the special order period ends on September 2 (while supplies last).
Presidential $1 Coins can also be collected. They are educational and fun with four new designs, each featuring an American President, issued each year. The James Buchanan Presidential $1 Coin will be featured in collectible products available for purchase via the United States Mint’s Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or by calling 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468).
The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. 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.
Lesson plans are available for download at http://www.usmint.gov/kids/