Entry bubble Latest Presidential $1 Coin Debuts

By: Stephanie | August 13, 2008 | Category: Money

Jackson presidential $1 coin

Have you seen any of the presidential $1 coins in your change? The U.S. Mint has issued more than one billion of these coins since February 2007. The coins are issued in the order the presidents served, beginning with George Washington, and four coins come out each year.

Tomorrow the seventh presidential $1 coin makes its debut: Andrew Jackson’s. As a boy, Jackson fought in the Revolutionary War, and later gained national prominence as a hero of the War of 1812, when his troops defeated the British at New Orleans. Jackson was nicknamed "Old Hickory" for his firm discipline as a commander, and he once killed a man in a duel over his honor. He served two terms in office as president from 1829 to 1837.

Tomorrow’s ceremony issuing the new presidential $1 coin will be held at Jackson’s home, The Hermitage, near Nashville, Tennessee. The public is invited for free, and can exchange dollar bills for Andrew Jackson presidential $1 coins.

Along with the Presidential $1 coins, the U.S. Mint also is issuing gold collectible coins of the first ladies. But since Jackson’s wife, Rachel, died just a few months before his inauguration, the First Spouse gold coin representing his presidency features Liberty as depicted on a U.S. coin during his time in office.

Contact your bank to find out if it has the presidential $1 coins. See the coin designs (including the upcoming eighth coin), and read a citizens committee's design recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury. For more information on new currency, visit USA.gov’s Currency and Economy page and FAQ on new dollar designs. Finally, for a little fun, unwind with some online coin-doku.

Have you seen any of the presidential $1 coins in circulation? Are you collecting them?

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Entry bubble Newly Redesigned $5 Bills Now in Circulation

By: Sommer | March 14, 2008 | Category: Money

new $5 bill

Yesterday, Federal Reserve Banks around the country began releasing the newly redesigned $5 bills into circulation.

The new bills were redesigned to incorporate state-of-the-art security features similar to the $50 bill, $20 bill, and $10 bill that preceded it. New security features include two watermarks and a security thread; in addition, the bill has new coloring and a larger, slightly offset image of Abe Lincoln.

Since the older-design $5 bills will always maintain their full face value you don’t have to exchange them for new bills. In fact, every U.S. banknote issued since 1861 is still redeemable today at full face value. If you have old $5 bills that are mutilated or badly damaged you can exchange them through the Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

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Entry bubble Tips for Traveling Overseas

By: Sam | February 06, 2008 | Category: Travel

Next week, I’ll be in the Eternal City exploring ruins, drinking wine, eating gelato, and of course, shopping. But before I can say Ciao, I need to make sure I’m prepared for my trip overseas.

Thanks to Marybeth’s post on travel docs, I have the 411 on everything from entry requirements to the exchange rate‚a necessity for Woman With Luggagecalculating how much the “must have” Italian shoes and bags will cost me. Speaking of shopping, it’s a good idea to make note of your credit card limit and to find out how to report a loss of your card abroad. And don’t forget to get a number that you can call while overseas since the 800 numbers don’t work. You may also want to ask if your card has a “foreign currency conversion fee,” which can sometimes be up to 3%.

I’ve also learned from other overseas trips to leave my travel itinerary and copies of important documents (passport, will, driver’s license, etc.) with a family member or friend. But what do I do if my passport is lost or stolen in Italy? Or, I unfortunately get sick?

USA.gov’s International Travel section is full of useful links that can answer these questions and many more. You can get customs and health info, tips for long-distance calling, emergency services facts, and much more. There’s also important info on how to stay safe on your trip abroad at Pueblo.gsa.gov.

Feel free to share any stories, tidbits, or helpful websites on traveling overseas. In addition to the resources I’ve linked to, I always have found Budget Travel and NBC’s Travel Editor, Peter Greenberg, to be invaluable.

Starting next week, the Wednesday posts will be written by our substitute blogger, Colleen. Although I'm moving on to a new opportunity outside the government, I can’t wait to read her weekly entries since they always manage to provide the right mix of great info and humor, whether they’re about Philly, the Boss, or Beantown. Thanks for reading my posts each week—I’ve really enjoyed our conversations!

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: currency   customs   foreign   health   overseas   passport   sam   travel