Alaska State Quarter to Roll Out at State Fair, Public Coin Forum

The ceremonial launch of the commemorative Alaska state quarter will occur at the Alaska State Fair, the United States Mint announced Thursday.

The Alaska state quarter is the 49th coin in the popular United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program.

The reverse or tails side of the coin features a grizzly bear emerging from the water clutching a salmon in its jaws.  The North Star is depicted above the inscription “The Great Land.” 

Additional inscriptions are “Alaska” and “1959,” which is the year the state was admitted into the Union.

Like past ceremonial releases, children under 18 years of age will receive a free, shiny new Alaska quarter. Everyone else in attendance may exchange their money for new $10 rolls of the quarter-dollars.

A highlight for coin collectors will be the Public Coin Forum, which will be held the evening prior to the ceremonial launch. The forum offers an excellent opportunity to express opinions and ask questions about forthcoming U.S. Mint coins and programs.

The successful 50 States Quarters series ends this year with the release of the Hawaiian state quarter in November. New D.C. and U.S. Territory quarters will continue in 2009.

Time and location for ceremonial release and coin forum

The following time, location and information was provided by the Mint for the Alaska ceremony and public coin forum:

WHAT:

Alaska Commemorative Quarter-Dollar Ceremonial Launch, followed by a Quarter Exchange Coin Collectors Forum Hosted by Deputy Director Andy Brunhart
 
WHO:  

United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart
Governor Sarah Palin
U. S. Senator Lisa Murkowski 
Curt Menard, Mayor, Matanuska Susitna Borough 
Mark Vinsel, Chair, Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission
John Venables, Re-enactor
John Klapperich, KMBQ-FM, Master of Ceremony 

WHEN: 

Quarter Release Ceremony: Friday, August 29, 2008, 1 p.m. (Alaska Time); Quarter Exchange to follow

Public Coin Collectors Forum:  Thursday, August 28, 2008, 4:00 p.m. (Alaska Time)
   
WHERE: 

Quarter Release Ceremony:  Alaska State Fair, Colony Stage, 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, AK  99645  

Public Coin Collectors Forum:  Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo, Suite 103, 301 West Northern Lights, Anchorage, AK 99503