Monday, Feb. 3, 2020 | 1:23 p.m.
CARSON CITY — The director of the U.S. Mint is expected to give the keynote address Tuesday during the 150th anniversary celebration of the Carson City Mint, which began producing coins from the silver and gold ore of the nearby Comstock Lode on Feb. 4, 1870.
U.S. Mint Director David Ryder is scheduled to join Gov. Steve Sisolak and others in the ceremonial striking of a special sesquicentennial silver medallion at what's now the Nevada State Museum. They will use the historic Coin Press No. 1, which was used to produce the first coins bearing the “CC” mint mark.
“I contend it’s the most significant and most unique coin press still in operation in the United States,” said Bob Nylen, the museum's curator of history.
The Carson City Mint operated until 1893, producing 111 different coins worth more than $50 million.
Coin Press No. 1 was the only one there for its first five years of operation. It later was used at U.S. Mints in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver before its return to Carson City as part of the state museum collection.
The museum has occupied the former Mint building since 1941. Since 1976, it has produced scores of commemorative medallions and currently houses 109 of the 111 coin types produced there.
The two most valuable in the museum’s collection are the 1876 CC 20-cent piece; and the 1870 $20 gold piece, according to Guy Clifton of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. Though not officially graded, he said experts value them around $475,000 apiece.
The commemorative medallion planned as part of the Mint150 celebration pays tribute to the Mint building; its first superintendent, Carson City founder Abe Curry; and Coin Press No. 1. They will be cast in both silver and copper and carry the famous “CC” mint mark coveted by collectors today.
The Mint Sesquicentennial medallions will sell for $75.
