United States Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing to Participate in the American Numismatic Association's 2012 World's Fair of Money® in Philadelphia

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) announced today that they will share a booth, #104, at the American Numismatic Association's (ANA) World's Fair of Money August 7-11, 2012, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.  Deputy Director of the United States Mint Richard Peterson will participate in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the show at 9:45 a.m. (ET) on August 7.  He will also lead a Collector's Coin Forum on August 7 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the World Mint Stage. 

On Friday, August 10, Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios will sign currency for the public at the United States Mint/BEP booth from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  On Saturday, August 11, she will sign currency at the booth from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and participate in a drawing for a BEP intaglio print at 12:00 noon.    

This year marks the 150th anniversary of BEP and the 220th anniversary of the United States Mint. As the Nation's producers of currency and coins, and two of the last manufacturing organizations in the federal government, BEP and the United States Mint have made American history by connecting Americans through coins and currency for a collective 370 years.

To commemorate their anniversaries, the bureaus are offering a 2012 Making American History Coin and Currency Set.  This anniversary set includes one 2012 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin and one Series 2009 $5 note.  The 2012 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin bears the "S" mint mark and honors the artistry and design of the Nation's coins and the heritage of coin production at the United States Mint at San Francisco.  The Series 2009 $5 note commemorates the BEP's century-and-a-half of service with a serial number beginning with "150."

On the World Mint Stage, United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart will speak on "Traditional Clay Modeling" on Wednesday, August 8 at 1 p.m.  United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna will speak on "Digital Sculpting" on August 10 at 1 p.m.

In the booth, the United States Mint will display rarely seen and never used artists' models from its vaults, including Adolf Weinman's 1916 Pattern Walking Liberty Half Dollar and Frank Gasparro's 1979 Pattern Flowing Hair Liberty Dollar.  United States Mint Sculptor-Engravers will be at the BEP/United States Mint booth throughout the World's Fair of Money.  The 2012 Birth Set and the following other popular products will be for sale in the booth:

• 2012 Birth Set -- A precious memento to mark the arrival of a newborn baby in 2012.  The set contains 2012 proof coins minted at the United States Mint at San Francisco and includes spaces for a welcome message, day/time of the birth, length/weight of the baby, a photograph and a lock of hair.
• American Buffalo Gold and American Eagle Gold and Silver Coins, First Spouse and Congressional Gold Medal bronze duplicates, 2012 commemorative coins, 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters^® Program coin sets, bags and rolls, and other popular United States Mint annual sets.

These and other products are also available for purchase at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).

During the World's Fair of Money, the new public tour at the United States Mint at Philadelphia will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The tour is free and self-guided, and no reservations are necessary, even for large groups.  All visitors 18 years or older must have a photo ID to enter. Photography is prohibited.  The facility is located at 5^th and Arch Streets on Independence Mall.

BEP is showcasing its Billion Dollar Exhibit, featuring more than $1 billion worth of rare antique currency, including sheets of $100,000 currency notes, Treasury Bonds, and Gold and Silver Certificates.  Additional BEP exhibits include genuine currency face plates representing the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; Series 1934-C, 12-Subject $50 plate; Series 1934-C, 12-Subject $100 plate; and Series 1934-B, 12-Subject $10,000 plate.

The BEP is also displaying its antique Abraham Lincoln-era Spider Press and an Elephant Press, which is used to produce facsimiles of the Declaration of Independence.  A currency production expert will conduct demonstrations on these presses and answer questions.  Throughout the convention, the BEP will show how mutilated currency is examined.

BEP is offering the following two new products for sale:

• "150th Anniversary" Intaglio Print – Dedicated to 150 years of pride, craftsmanship and BEP innovation, this card features an exquisite compilation of unique engraved portraits and vignettes focusing on the age-old art of intaglio printing.  This card is the second of three offered in this series and can be purchased for $20 each (bulk pricing is available for quantities of 50 or more).
• $10 Generations Currency Set – This limited edition, three-note set features Series 1995, 2001 and 2009 $10 notes, with matching low serial numbers, from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.  Complementing the notes is a commemorative print of Independence Hall on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse with the inscription, We the People.  An educational booklet showcasing the history of $10 United States paper currency since 1861 is also included.  This set is available for $149.95 each (bulk pricing is available for quantities of 10 or more).

The BEP is also showcasing and offering other unique currency-related products, including uncut sheets of currency ranging in subject, size and denomination.  For information about BEP or to purchase products, visit www.moneyfactory.gov or www.moneyfactorystore.gov.

You may also order BEP products by telephone (1-800-456-3408), fax (1-888-891-7585), or mail (Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Mail Order Sales Department, 515M, 14^th and C Streets SW, Washington, DC 20228).

SOURCE United States Mint