Once again, mint striking coins

For a few hours on Saturday, the State Museum will return to its old status as a mint.

Silver Millennium Commemorative Coins will be minted from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. or until the coins run out.

Expert minter Don Schmitz will man coin press No. 1, striking the silver coins, which bear an artist design on the front and the press logo on the back. Each coin is one ounce of 0.999 fine silver and is priced at $25. Bronze one-ounce millennium coins will be available for $3.50.

The state museum started life as a U.S. Branch Mint during the Comstock era.

The institution struck millions of gold and silver coins for 24 years before making its final strikes in 1893. The press also served the Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver mints, eventually returning to the original mint site in Carson City.

Proceeds from coin sales will benefit the Carson City Countdown to the Millennium committee to finance a weeklong family celebration Dec. 27 to 31.

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