While the American people were examining Alaska’s governor, Sarah Palin, as Sen. John McCain’s vice presidential running mate, the people of Alaska were taking a look at their new state quarter Aug. 29 at its official debut at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer.
Governors have routinely launched state quarters in other states, but that was not to be this time. The governor’s office did proclaim “49th State Quarter Day.”
Joining Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell on the Colony Stage for the event was U.S. Mint Deputy Director Andrew Brunhart.
“When Americans pull this coin out of their pockets, they will think of Alaska, America’s last frontier,” Brunhart noted.
After the formalities, Parnell and Brunhart gave out free quarters to the children in attendance while adults could buy $10 rolls for their face value.
Collectors have the opportunity to purchase rolls and bags of the new coins by visiting the Mint’s Web site at www.usmint.gov.
Sets containing two rolls, one each from the Denver and Philadelphia Mints, are priced at $32.95 each. Bags of 100 coins are $32.95 each and bags of 1,000 coins are $309.95.
There is a $4.95 charge per order. For the 1,000-coin bags, there is an additional $7.95 fee for shipping because of their size and weight.
Telephone orders are being taken on the toll-free line at 1 (800) USA-MINT.
