SAN FRANCISCO — Countering speculation that the new Golden Dollar is not circulating, Safeway, one of the largest food and drug retailers, has decided to start using the coin in all of its stores across the country. Stores will routinely dispense Golden Dollars in change, and Safeway customers will be able to exchange other U.S. currency and coins for Golden Dollars.
WHAT:U.S. Mint Director Jay Johnson will join senior Safeway officials at the San Francisco Marina Safeway to announce their commitment to using Golden Dollars nationwide. The event will include Johnson receiving Golden Dollars in change while making a purchase, followed by a Golden Dollar coin cake–cutting to commemorate the one–year anniversary of the release of the coin.
WHEN: Thursday, February 8, 2001, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Safeway, 15 Marina Blvd., San Francisco, CA, (415) 563–4946
WHO: Jay Johnson, Director of the U.S. Mint; Brad Fox, Vice President,Treasurer, Safeway.
THE GOLDEN DOLLAR: The United States Mint produced more than one billion Golden Dollars in the past year, more than the total number of Susan B. Anthony (SBA) dollar coins minted in that coin’s 21–year history from 1979–2000. To ensure the coin’s success and as mandated by Congress, the Mint has been educating businesses and consumers about the Golden Dollar.
The U.S. Mint was authorized to produce the new dollar coin by the United States Dollar Coin Act of 1997. Dollar coins have gained popularity in recent years due to their expanded use for purchases in post offices, subways, buses, vending machines and other coin–operated outlets. Visit the Mint’s Web site for more information about the Golden Dollar at www.usmint.gov.