Join United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore, Governor Tim Pawlenty, celebrities and school children from throughout the State as they officially launch the Minnesota quarter at the State Capitol Building in St. Paul on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at 11:25 a.m. (as in 25 cents). A quarter exchange will follow the event in which the public may exchange their ten-dollar bills for rolls of shiny, new Minnesota state quarters. Each child will receive a free Minnesota quarter.

On the eve of the Minnesota Quarter Launch, United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore will also host a Coin Collectors Forum from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss what the American people would like to see in their coinage. The public and news media are welcome.

The Minnesota quarter-dollar commemorative coin is the second state quarter released in 2005. On May 11, 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state admitted into the Union, and as such, it is the 32nd coin to be issued in the United States Mint’s popular 50 State Quarters® Program. The design features a tree-lined lake with two people fishing, a loon on the water, and a textured outline of the State surrounding its nickname, “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” Free lesson plans may be downloaded at www.usmint.gov.

WHAT: Minnesota Quarter Launch & Quarter Exchange, Tuesday, April 12

Coin Collectors Forum Monday Night, April 11 hosted by United States Mint Director Fore

WHO:United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty

Minnesota Lt. Governor Carol Molnau

Minnesota Secretary of State Mary E. Kiffmeyer

Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren, Chair of Minnesota Quarter Dollar Commission

Master of Ceremonies Ron Schara

Minnesota Twins Great Kent Hrbek

Minnesota Vikings Great Ed McDaniel Nativez Inc.

The Lakeville High School Band

The Minnesota Boys Choir

WHEN: Minnesota Quarter Launch: Tuesday, April 12, 2005, 11:25 a.m. (CT)

Coin Collectors Forum: Monday, April 11, 2005, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. (CT)

WHERE: Minnesota Quarter Launch: State Capitol Building, South Side

Coin Collectors Forum: Minnesota Department of Education, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN, Conference Center B, Room CC 15

For a digital image of the Minnesota quarter:http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo#50state

VIDEO AVAILABLE

Satellite Feed of B-Roll of Minnesota State Quarter Launch

Satellite feed date: April 12, 2005; Feed time: 3:30 PM-4:00 PM; IA5; Transponder 5; DL 3800V

April 13, 2005; Feed Time: 1:00 PM-1:15 PM; IA6; Transponder 16; DL 4020H

This b-roll produced by the United States Mint will contain: 1.Minting of Minnesota quarter 2. Scenes from launch event at the State Capitol in St. Paul 3. Sound bites of officials from the event, launching the new Minnesota quarter.