WASHINGTON – The United States Mint today announced that, beginning at 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, April 19, 2002, it will no longer offer free shipping and handling to its Online Catalog customers. Online orders placed before 12:01 AM, April 19, 2002, will not incur shipping and handling fees.

Since the Mint began selling numismatic items online in April of 1999, it has offered the incentive of free shipping and handling as a means of demonstrating the conveniences of purchasing products online. This incentive has proven tremendously successful. Internet sales now account for nearly 40% of all Mint transactions. Due to this rapid growth, the Mint can no longer offer free shipping and handling and still maintain competitive prices for all customers.

“We are committed to offering our customers the highest quality products at the most advantageous prices,” said Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore. “To do this, we must adjust to the realities of doing business in a very competitive collectibles marketplace.”

All online orders placed before 12:01 AM April 19, 2002, via the Mint’s Internet site, www.usmint.gov will receive free shipping and handling.

Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint today is the world’s largest manufacturer of coins, medals and coin-based consumer products. In 2001, the Mint produced more than 19 billion coins, fulfilling its primary mission to produce an adequate supply of circulating coinage for the nation’s commerce. The Mint has grown to an international marketing enterprise with $2.4 billion in annual revenue and approximately 2,400 employees.