The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 6, February 5, 2006, Article 17

FIRST-HAND REPORT: NEVADA STATE QUARTER LAUNCH CEREMONY

Hal Dunn writes: "The new Nevada state quarter, 36th in the
state series, was launched in a ceremony beginning at 10 AM,
January 31st, in front of the Capitol in Carson City.  The
event was attended by an estimated 3,500 people, with well
over 1,000 of those being school children bused in from
various schools in western Nevada.  According to State
Treasurer Brian Krolicki, presiding over the ceremony, this
was the largest single event ever held in front of the Capitol,
including inaugurations.

It was clear and cold (mid-30s) and just about everything
was soaked from a rain storm the evening before.  As the
ANA District Delegate for Nevada I was fortunate to have an
invitation to reserved seating on dry ground as contrasted
to standing on wet grass.  The National Anthem and "Home
Means Nevada" were sung solo by two young ladies, the blessing
was given by a Paiute elder, a Mark Twain impersonator provided
humorous remarks, and two re-enactors portraying Pony Express
riders delivered a bag of "first strikes" to Governor Kenny
Guinn.

In typical Mark Twain style the impersonator said, "Wild
horses - one end bites and the other kicks.  Perfect for
Nevada."   United States Mint Acting Director David A.
Lebryk made the official presentation of the Nevada quarter.
There was one tense moment when Kate Krolicki, the young
daughter of the treasurer, on horseback with one of the Pony
Express riders, fell from the horse.  Fortunately she was
uninjured, and the ceremony continued uninterrupted.

Immediately following the program $10 rolls of quarters went
on sale (by 8:30 AM people were lining up at a tent on the
grounds where an armored car was parked).  By a little after
1 PM they ran out of rolls.  There was a Kid's Quarter Handout,
where each person under 18 years could receive one free quarter,
handed to them by the governor, treasurer, the acting director,
or one of the other state constitutional officers.

There were 3,000 commemorative quarter sets (one each from
Philadelphia and Denver) with a special card in a plastic
holder and certificate signed by the treasurer.  First limited
to two per person, and later to one per person, these sold out
quickly.  The proceeds benefit the Division of Museums and
History, which includes the former Carson City Mint.

There were also special postmarks and a limited edition
commemorative medal struck on the historic coin press number
1 at the old mint.  At the Nevada State Museum (the old Carson
City Mint) there were demonstrations of the coin press and the
Reno Coin Club had a table distributing literature and coin
boards.  Hopefully, at the end of the day, we will have some
new collectors that will stay in numismatics."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor 
at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum