Niles, Ohio, August 02, 2001 – The U.S. Mint announced today that the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, a Class A baseball affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, are routinely circulating Golden Dollar coins at Cofaro Field during the 2001 baseball season.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are dispensing Golden Dollar coins from the team’s ticket office and souvenir and concession stands.  In addition to using the coin as change in regular transactions, each cash register will prominently feature Golden Dollar signs encouraging the use of the coin.  Golden Dollar advertisements are printed on the scorecard and also are being aired during the radio broadcast of each Mahoning Valley Scrappers game.

“The U.S. Mint is excited to partner with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers,” said U.S. Mint Director Jay Johnson.  “Baseball partnerships are a fun way for us to help encourage people to use the dollar coins in everyday transactions.  Thanks to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, their fans can now get Golden Dollars as change when buying hot dogs and peanuts at all their home games!”

“Golden Dollars are fast and convenient for both our cashiers and fans," said Andy Milovich, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers' general manager. "They speed up transactions at the concession stands so our fans don’t miss any exciting plays during the game."

In addition to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers partnership, the U.S. Mint has formed successful partnerships with banks, retailers and other corporations to remind consumers that the Golden Dollar is not only a beautiful collectible, but also an everyday currency meant to be used.  Other partners include Allfirst Bank, IHOP, Paramount’s Kings Dominion, Safeway, SFX, the Trenton Thunder Baseball Club, and two other baseball teams owned by Palisades Baseball, the Erie SeaWolves and the South Bend Silver Hawks.

About The Mahoning Valley Scrappers
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are owned and operated by Palisades Baseball, ltd.  They are the short season Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and a member of the New York Pen League.  The Scrappers play at Cafaro Field located in Niles, Ohio.

About the Golden Dollar
To ensure the coin’s success and as mandated by Congress, the U.S. Mint has been educating businesses and consumers about the Golden Dollar. The U.S. Mint was authorized to produce the new dollar coin by the United States Dollar Coin Act of 1997.  Since January 2000, the U.S. Mint has minted over 1 billion Golden Dollars, with more than 800 million already in circulation, more than 10 times the 60 million Susan B. Anthony dollar coins circulated in 1999.  Dollar coins have gained popularity in recent years due to their expanded use for purchases in post offices, subways, buses and other coin-operated outlets. Visit the Mint’s Web site for more information about the Golden Dollar at www.usmint.gov.