Press release on Commems - San Fran Mint
CoinResource
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Commemorative Coins to Benefit
San Francisco Historical Museum
Old Mint coins approved by Senate Banking Committee
The Senate Banking Committee today approved a bill that authorizes the U.S. Mint to strike two
commemorative coins to raise funds to transform the Old Mint building in San Francisco into a museum
that will showcase city history and numismatics. The full senate is expected to vote on the measure on
next week; it has already been passed in the House of Representatives.
The San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Act instructs the U.S. Mint to issue one $5 gold coin and a
$1 silver coin with images emblematic of the Old Mint, also known as “The Granite Lady.” It is the first
time U.S. commemorative coins will be produced to raise funds to benefit an historic mint building. A
total of 600,000 coins will be minted, 100,000 in gold and 500,000 in silver.
The selection of the Old Mint building coincides with the anniversary marking the Centennial of the
Great Earthquake in San Francisco. The Old Mint, a classic Greek revival building, was one of the few
structures to survive the disaster, at which time its use as a financial center was critical in rebuilding the
city.
“This legislation allows us to preserve one of San Francisco’s most important historic structures,” said
Jerome Dodson, president of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society (SFMHS), which is
spearheading efforts to transform the national treasure into a museum. “Now we can keep the story
alive for future generations.
“Millions of residents and visitors, students and historians alike will be able to visit the City’s museum and
the American Money & Gold Rush Museum (AMGRM). This bill has the potential to raise up to $8.5 million
for our project — part of a fundraising effort that totals $60 million.”
Nearly half the 70,000 sq. ft. building will become the San Francisco Museum of History. The American
Money and Gold Rush Museum will occupy approximately 9,000 square feet. Other tenants of the
building will include the San Francisco Visitors Center and a white-table restaurant, café, bar and
museum shops.
The coin legislation was originally introduced by Senators Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and
John Ensign (R-Nev.) in October, 2005. Companion legislation was introduced by House Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Representative Michael N. Castle (R-Del.).
The Old Mint’s unique history and survival reflect the vision and spirit of San Francisco. The building’s
architect, Alfred B. Mullett, knew that the Pacific Coast was subject to earthquakes, and with
remarkable foresight he designed the Old Mint to “float” on its foundations in a quake, rather than
shatter. His insight was validated when the mint rode out the severe tremors of Wednesday, April 18,
1906, practically undamaged. Heroic efforts by Treasury Department employees, using only a one-inch
hose connected to wells that had fortunately been built just weeks earlier, saved the mint and $200
million in gold in its vaults from the fire that destroyed commercial San Francisco after the earthquake.
With the downtown area and its banks destroyed, the San Francisco Mint was the only financial
institution able to open for business in San Francisco, and it became the depository and treasury for the
city's relief fund. By 1934, one-third of the United States' gold reserve was stored in the vaults of the San
Francisco Mint. Its new life as a museum will portray many of the rich stories of its multi-ethnic residents
and allow patrons to experience what makes San Francisco the city it is.
The American Money and Gold Rush Museum will be developed in partnership with the American
Numismatic Association (ANA), which will help create exhibits, conduct research and operate the
museum. The ANA, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., currently operates the country’s largest
museum dedicated exclusively to exhibits of coins, paper money, medals and tokens.
“This is a great opportunity to honor the Old Mint and help restore this historic building in downtown San
Francisco,” said ANA Executive Director Chris Cipoletti. “This exciting new museum will be a national
showcase of numismatic history, and give visitors a chance to see how money reflects our culture,
history and art through the ages.”
**********************************************************************************************************
The non-profit San Francisco Museum and Historical Society (SFMHS) preserves, interprets and presents
the historical heritage of San Francisco. It fulfills these objectives through a broad spectrum of
exhibitions, programs and special events and was organized in February 2002, following the merger of
the San Francisco Historical Society and the Museum of the City of San Francisco. A year later, SFMHS
plans to renovate the building and establish a permanent home for the San Francisco Museum won
unanimous support from the Mayor’s Old Mint Task Force.
For additional information, visit www.sfhistory.org <http://www.sfhistory.org> or call 415.775-1111.
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and
encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. With nearly 33,000 members, the
Association serves the collecting and academic communities and the general public with an interest in
numismatics. The ANA helps people discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of
programs including its education and outreach, museum, library, publications, conventions and
seminars.
For more information, visit www.money.org http://www.money.orgor call 719-632-COIN.
San Francisco Museum and Historical Society
P. O. Box 420470
San Francisco, CA 94142-0470
www.sfhistory.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CONTACT: Nancy Fox 415.459-3434
AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION
CONTACT: Jay Beeton 719.482-9864
Images of the Old Mint are available as high-resolution digital files. They may be downloaded at
www.sfhistory.org/?pageid=7 <http://www.sfhistory.org/?pageid=7>
or received on request by emailing gnance2@sbcglobal.net
$$$
San Francisco Historical Museum
Old Mint coins approved by Senate Banking Committee
The Senate Banking Committee today approved a bill that authorizes the U.S. Mint to strike two
commemorative coins to raise funds to transform the Old Mint building in San Francisco into a museum
that will showcase city history and numismatics. The full senate is expected to vote on the measure on
next week; it has already been passed in the House of Representatives.
The San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Act instructs the U.S. Mint to issue one $5 gold coin and a
$1 silver coin with images emblematic of the Old Mint, also known as “The Granite Lady.” It is the first
time U.S. commemorative coins will be produced to raise funds to benefit an historic mint building. A
total of 600,000 coins will be minted, 100,000 in gold and 500,000 in silver.
The selection of the Old Mint building coincides with the anniversary marking the Centennial of the
Great Earthquake in San Francisco. The Old Mint, a classic Greek revival building, was one of the few
structures to survive the disaster, at which time its use as a financial center was critical in rebuilding the
city.
“This legislation allows us to preserve one of San Francisco’s most important historic structures,” said
Jerome Dodson, president of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society (SFMHS), which is
spearheading efforts to transform the national treasure into a museum. “Now we can keep the story
alive for future generations.
“Millions of residents and visitors, students and historians alike will be able to visit the City’s museum and
the American Money & Gold Rush Museum (AMGRM). This bill has the potential to raise up to $8.5 million
for our project — part of a fundraising effort that totals $60 million.”
Nearly half the 70,000 sq. ft. building will become the San Francisco Museum of History. The American
Money and Gold Rush Museum will occupy approximately 9,000 square feet. Other tenants of the
building will include the San Francisco Visitors Center and a white-table restaurant, café, bar and
museum shops.
The coin legislation was originally introduced by Senators Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and
John Ensign (R-Nev.) in October, 2005. Companion legislation was introduced by House Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Representative Michael N. Castle (R-Del.).
The Old Mint’s unique history and survival reflect the vision and spirit of San Francisco. The building’s
architect, Alfred B. Mullett, knew that the Pacific Coast was subject to earthquakes, and with
remarkable foresight he designed the Old Mint to “float” on its foundations in a quake, rather than
shatter. His insight was validated when the mint rode out the severe tremors of Wednesday, April 18,
1906, practically undamaged. Heroic efforts by Treasury Department employees, using only a one-inch
hose connected to wells that had fortunately been built just weeks earlier, saved the mint and $200
million in gold in its vaults from the fire that destroyed commercial San Francisco after the earthquake.
With the downtown area and its banks destroyed, the San Francisco Mint was the only financial
institution able to open for business in San Francisco, and it became the depository and treasury for the
city's relief fund. By 1934, one-third of the United States' gold reserve was stored in the vaults of the San
Francisco Mint. Its new life as a museum will portray many of the rich stories of its multi-ethnic residents
and allow patrons to experience what makes San Francisco the city it is.
The American Money and Gold Rush Museum will be developed in partnership with the American
Numismatic Association (ANA), which will help create exhibits, conduct research and operate the
museum. The ANA, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., currently operates the country’s largest
museum dedicated exclusively to exhibits of coins, paper money, medals and tokens.
“This is a great opportunity to honor the Old Mint and help restore this historic building in downtown San
Francisco,” said ANA Executive Director Chris Cipoletti. “This exciting new museum will be a national
showcase of numismatic history, and give visitors a chance to see how money reflects our culture,
history and art through the ages.”
**********************************************************************************************************
The non-profit San Francisco Museum and Historical Society (SFMHS) preserves, interprets and presents
the historical heritage of San Francisco. It fulfills these objectives through a broad spectrum of
exhibitions, programs and special events and was organized in February 2002, following the merger of
the San Francisco Historical Society and the Museum of the City of San Francisco. A year later, SFMHS
plans to renovate the building and establish a permanent home for the San Francisco Museum won
unanimous support from the Mayor’s Old Mint Task Force.
For additional information, visit www.sfhistory.org <http://www.sfhistory.org> or call 415.775-1111.
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and
encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. With nearly 33,000 members, the
Association serves the collecting and academic communities and the general public with an interest in
numismatics. The ANA helps people discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of
programs including its education and outreach, museum, library, publications, conventions and
seminars.
For more information, visit www.money.org http://www.money.orgor call 719-632-COIN.
San Francisco Museum and Historical Society
P. O. Box 420470
San Francisco, CA 94142-0470
www.sfhistory.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CONTACT: Nancy Fox 415.459-3434
AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION
CONTACT: Jay Beeton 719.482-9864
Images of the Old Mint are available as high-resolution digital files. They may be downloaded at
www.sfhistory.org/?pageid=7 <http://www.sfhistory.org/?pageid=7>
or received on request by emailing gnance2@sbcglobal.net
$$$
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Comments
CG
They better get rolling it is May 18th.....
Yuk! Sounds like more coins with images of buildings on them.
As someone who lives in SF and has to put up with an inept and lunatic fringe City government, I have to wonder whether the City will collect tax revenues from the operation or the value of the building or will it be another lost finanical opportunity?
CG