Ash Lawn-Highland, the estate of President James Monroe in Charlottesville, Virginia, will be the first place in the Nation to obtain James Monroe Presidential $1 Coins, a day before the coins are officially placed into circulation nationwide.

In a brief ceremony before the coin exchange, the new James Monroe Presidential $1 Coins will be presented to the American people, with a ceremonial "pour" of hundreds of shiny, new coins.  The Acting Deputy Director of the United States Mint, Dan Shaver, will join Ash Lawn-Highland's Executive Director, Carolyn Coggin Holmes, James Monroe Memorial Foundation President G. William Thomas Jr. and James Monroe re-enactor Dennis Bigelow for the event.

The news media and public are invited to the ceremony and coin exchange at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008.  There will be no entrance fee at Ash Lawn-Highland until noon.

To download an image of the James Monroe Presidential $1 Coin, go to:
http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo#Pres

WHAT: Ceremony and Coin Exchange for the James Monroe Presidential $1 Coin  
   
WHO:  United States Mint Acting Deputy Director Dan Shaver
Ash Lawn-Highland Executive Director Carolyn Coggin Holmes
Marc Johnson, President, Highland Chapter of the Alumni Society of the College of William and Mary
James Monroe Memorial Foundation President G. William Thomas Jr.
James Monroe Re-enactor Dennis Bigelow

WHEN: Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at 11:00 a.m.   

WHERE: Ash Lawn-Highland, Home of President James Monroe, 1000 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22902

NEWS MEDIA ONLY-Satellite feed available, Tuesday, February 12th: 1:30-1:45 PM ET - Galaxy 26 C Transponder 9 and Wednesday, February 13th: 4:30-4:45 PM ET - Galaxy 26 C Transponder 9