Come celebrate the ceremonial launch of the Alaska commemorative quarter-dollar at the Alaska State Fair, Colony Stage, in Palmer on Friday, August 29, 2008, at 1 p.m. (Alaska Time).  United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart will join Governor Sarah Palin in celebrating the 49th coin in the United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program.  The public and the media are invited to this free event.

After the ceremony, the crowd may exchange currency for $10 rolls of newly minted Alaska quarters in the Wineck Barn from 1:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Children 18 years old and younger will receive a free Alaska quarter.

United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart will host a free Public Coin Forum on Thursday, August 28, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Alaska Time) at the Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo.  The forum is an opportunity for the public to express its opinions about future designs for U.S. coinage and to ask questions about United States Mint programs and U.S. coinage.

Alaska became the 49th state admitted into the Union on January 3, 1959.  The reverse (tails side) of the Alaska quarter features a grizzly bear emerging from the waters clutching a salmon in its jaws, symbolizing Alaska's natural beauty and abundant wildlife.  The North Star is depicted above the inscription "The Great Land."  Additional inscriptions include "Alaska" and "1959."

WHAT:

Alaska Commemorative Quarter-Dollar Ceremonial Launch, followed by a Quarter Exchange Coin Collectors Forum Hosted by Deputy Director Andy Brunhart
 
WHO:  

United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart
Governor Sarah Palin
U. S. Senator Lisa Murkowski 
Curt Menard, Mayor, Matanuska Susitna Borough 
Mark Vinsel, Chair, Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission
John Venables, Re-enactor
John Klapperich, KMBQ-FM, Master of Ceremony 

WHEN: 

Launch:  Friday, August 29, 2008, 1 p.m. (Alaska Time); Quarter Exchange to follow
Public Coin Forum:  Thursday, August 28, 2008, 4:00 p.m. (Alaska Time)
   
WHERE: 

Launch:  Alaska State Fair, Colony Stage, 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, AK  99645  
Coin Collectors Forum:  Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo, Suite 103, 301 West Northern Lights, Anchorage, AK 99503
       
For a digital image of the Alaska quarter, go to:
http://usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=photo#50state

NEWS MEDIA ONLY:  VIDEO AVAILABLE - A satellite feed that includes the Alaska Quarter Ceremonial Launch, sound bites of participants and production B-roll will be available on Friday, August 29th, 7:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. (ET) GA 28C, Tr. 19, DL 4080V; and Saturday, August 30th, 3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (ET), AMC 3c, Tr. 3, DL 3760H.