WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that collectors can begin placing their orders for bags and rolls of the Alaska commemorative quarter-dollar coin at noon Eastern Time on August 25, 2008.  There is no order limit for these options.

The Alaska quarter-dollar is the 49th coin in the United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program.  The reverse 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." 

The coins contained in the bags and rolls were struck at the United States Mint facilities at Denver and Philadelphia for use in general circulation.  The two-roll sets, offered at $32.95, include one roll each of 40 coins bearing the "D" and "P" mint marks.  The coins are wrapped in distinctive packaging bearing the 50 State Quarters logo, the mint of origin, the official state abbreviation and the dollar value of the contents.  The 100- and 1,000-coin bags are offered at $32.95 and $309.95, respectively.  Each canvas bag has a tag with the mint of origin and the state abbreviation.  

The United States Mint will accept orders at its secure Web site, www.usmint.gov, or at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468).  Please add $4.95 shipping and handling fee to all domestic orders.  Because of their size and weight, an additional charge of $7.95 per bag will be applied to orders for 1,000-coin quarter bags. 

Note:  Orders placed before the designated date and time are subject to cancellation.  For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Answer ID #175.