U.S. Mint Gears Up To Issue Commemorative County Pennies

... maybe this is old news[?]

U.S. Mint Gears Up To Issue Commemorative County Pennies
WASHINGTON, DC-Following the success of its 50 State Quarters program-deemed
one of the most popular commemorative-coin programs in American history-the
U.S. Mint announced its next ambitious project: releasing a unique penny for
every county in the nation. "Located in the first state in the union,
Delaware's Kent County will be the first county honored in this grand
celebration of America," U.S. Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore said
Monday. "But over the coming years, citizens all across the nation will see
the best aspects of their own counties celebrated on the obverse side of a
penny. Collecting all 3,143 county pennies will be a fun activity your
family will enjoy for generations."

Starting in 2008, the U.S. Mint will release five new pennies per year for
the next 629 years. While the process will be a long one, residents of the
nation's 3,143 counties and county equivalents have already begun debating
how their regions should be depicted.

"I hope they get the old stone water tower just right," Ypsilanti, MI
resident Gina Dalton said. "It's the most well-known landmark in Washtenaw
County, so it's definitely what they should use."

While Fore agreed that Ypsilanti's historic water tower-completed in 1890,
boasting an 85-foot-tall base made of Joliet limestone, and standing at the
important intersection of Route 17 and West Cross Street-is a good
suggestion, she cautioned Washtenaw County residents that their penny is
scheduled for release in 2315.

"We're encouraging counties, especially those beyond the first 50 or so, to
think creatively to find a truly unique representative icon for their
penny," Fore said. "Water towers-along with mountains, covered bridges, and
lighthouses-will be among the first images to get snapped up. We'll need to
see some shoe factories and cell-phone towers, too."

Residents of Loving County, TX, population 67, are taking no chances. They
have already tendered their penny's design, which features the Johnson
family's round barn, the only structure of note in the vicinity. Residents
said they plan to hold annual bake sales to maintain the building until the
penny is released in 2371.

Richland Center, WI resident Tom McCrary said he is anticipating his penny's
2433 release.

"Richland County is best known for its apple harvest, dairy farms, and the
rock bridge," McCrary said. "But after the lesson of the New Hampshire
quarter, I'm not too comfortable putting a natural rock formation on our
penny. Luckily, we have another 438 years to decide on a symbol that
accurately conveys the spirit of Richland County."

Some U.S. citizens, particularly those in coastal regions, have raised
concerns that their counties may never get a chance to be represented, due
to rising water levels and tectonic shifts.

Citizens of Alaska and Louisiana have expressed worries that they may not be
represented at all.

"I have spoken to numerous concerned Alaska and Louisiana citizens, and I
tell them all the same thing: Settle down," Fore said. "Although they are
technically called the county pennies, the coins will certainly include
Alaska's census areas, Louisiana's parishes, and independent cities like St.
Louis and the District of Columbia."

"County equivalents are part of our rich national tapestry," Fore added.

Fore also addressed worries that the penny may be out of use before the last
counties are represented.

"You have to keep your eye on the big picture-this is about Americans
connecting with America through numismatics," Fore said. "Don't count the
penny out so fast. This may be just the thing to get people excited about
the penny all over again."

The U.S. Mint has designed a folder for collecting and displaying the county
pennies. The cardboard murals, measuring 8 feet by 35 feet, will be
available at most Walgreens stores, or directly from the Mint by mail for
$4.95 plus $179 for postage and handling.


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