Pittsburgh, PA — If Room 321 of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh looks more like an art gallery Saturday than a meeting room, it is because the United States Mint will be displaying the 144 designs submitted as candidates for the Nation’s 2005–dated 5–cent coins (nickels). The occasion is the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money®, where thousands of coin collectors and dealers will gather.
UNITED STATES MINT ART GALLERY: The newly designed 2005 nickels will be the latest in the United States Mint’s Westward Journey Nickel Series™ that began in 2004 with the first nickel design change in 66 years. The final designs chosen for the 2005 nickels will be announced in a few weeks, but the United States Mint thought the public would enjoy seeing the many beautiful images submitted through the Artistic Infusion Program and by United States Mint sculptor/engravers.
The Westward Journey Nickel Series commemorates the bicentenniels of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. The second nickel of 2004, the Keelboat nickel, just went into circulation this month. The news media are invited to view and photograph the designs and to participate in a press availability in Room 321 with United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore on Saturday, August 21, at 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
NICKEL LESSON PLANS: The United States Mint is providing free downloadable lesson plans about the Westward Journey Nickel Series. You may access the K–6 grade Keelboat and Peace Medal nickel materials, as well as the middle school and high school lessons, by clicking here.
VIRTUAL TOUR: The United States Mint is unveiling its new virtual tour that gives website visitors the opportunity to see how circulating coins are minted. The virtual tour includes the design process, the transfer engraving of images, the creation of dies and the production floor. Visitors may access the virtual tour at the United States Mint booth or online at the United States Mint’s website.
OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT SERVICE AWARD: United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore is pleased to receive the Outstanding Government Service Award from the ANA. The service awards ceremony will be held on Friday, August 20, at 1 p.m., in Room 328.
OPEN FORUM: This is the public’s chance to tell the United States Mint what they think. Director Fore will hold an Open Forum for collectors, dealers and the public to discuss coin redesign and exciting new United States Mint products on Saturday, August 21, at 9 a.m., in Room 326.
UNITED STATES MINT BOOTH: The United States Mint’s large booth is number 103, located to the left of the main convention center entrance. The booth includes a Lewis and Clark backdrop and a huge revolving nickel display. Visitors may purchase an array of United States Mint products, including two–roll sets of the 2004 Westward Journey Nickel Series, the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar and the 2004 United States Mint Proof Sets. The United States Mint Education Initiative is providing computers for children to enjoy its interactive Web pages.
INTERNATIONAL MINTS: Director Fore is President of the international Mint Directors Conference and will meet with directors of many of the world’s mints, who are attending the World’s Fair of Money.