Erie, PA, August 02, 2001 — The U.S. Mint announced today that the Erie SeaWolves, a Class AA baseball affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, are routinely circulating Golden Dollar coins at Jerry Uht Park during the 2001 baseball season.
The Erie SeaWolves are dispensing Golden Dollar coins from the team’s ticket office and souvenir and concession stands. In addition to using the coin as change in regular transactions, each cash register prominently features Golden Dollar signs encouraging the use of the coin. Advertisements supporting the use of the coin are being aired during the radio broadcast of each SeaWolves game and appear in the team’s program.
“The U.S. Mint is excited to partner with the Erie SeaWolves,” said U.S. Mint Director Jay Johnson. “Baseball partnerships are a fun way for us to help encourage people to use the dollar coins in everyday transactions. Thanks to the Erie SeaWolves, their fans can now get Golden Dollars as change when buying hot dogs and peanuts at all their home games!”
“SeaWolves fans support the team and the Golden Dollar,” said Matt Bresee, Erie Seawolves business development representative. “We are proud to be partnering with the United States Mint to increase the circulation and awareness of the Golden Dollars.”
In addition to the Erie SeaWolves partnership, the U.S. Mint has formed successful partnerships with banks, retailers and other corporations to remind consumers that the Golden Dollar is not only a beautiful collectible, but also an everyday currency meant to be used. Other partners include Allfirst Bank, IHOP, Paramount’s Kings Dominion, Safeway, SFX, the Trenton Thunder Baseball Club, and two other baseball teams owned by Palisades Baseball, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the South Bend Silver Hawks.
About The Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are owned and operated by Palisades Baseball, ltd. They are the Class AA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and a member of the Eastern League. The SeaWolves play at Jerry Uht Park located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania.
About the Golden Dollar
To ensure the coin’s success and as mandated by Congress, the U.S. 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. Since January 2000, the U.S. Mint has minted over 1 billion Golden Dollars, with more than 800 million already in circulation, more than 10 times the 60 million Susan B. Anthony dollar coins circulated in 1999. Dollar coins have gained popularity in recent years due to their expanded use for purchases in post offices, subways, buses and other coin–operated outlets. Visit the Mint’s Web site for more information about the Golden Dollar at www.usmint.gov.