Mint
strikes Oregon quarter
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
May 27, 2005
By LEE
JUILLERAT
Chuck Lundy, Crater Lake National Park's superintendent, was
among the group of Oregonians in Denver Thursday for the
ceremonial strike of the Oregon quarter at the U.S. Mint.
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A newly struck Oregon quarter was displayed at the
Denver Mint following the striking ceremony. |
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The quarter, which will be released for public distribution June
6, features an image of Crater Lake, with Wizard Island and Llao
Rock.
"It was pretty cool," Lundy said. "We got to see all these
Oregon quarters, millions of them, being produced."
Lundy said 50 machines are producing 750 Oregon quarters per
minute, or about 36 million per day. Over the course of eight to
10 weeks, about 550 million Oregon quarters will be produced.
They will be sent to Federal Reserve banks for distribution to
banks.
Each Oregon delegation member was allowed to go to a machine and
push a button creating a quarter. After looking at the special
strike quarters, they were given back to Mint officials, who
will mail them to Lundy and others.
State Treasurer Randall Edwards led the group of Oregonians,
which included members of the Oregon Commemorative Coin
Commission.
"This historic day marks the rewards of a thoughtful process
with input from Oregonians, our coin commission, and state and
federal cooperation," Edwards said.
"It is also the beginning of a national distribution of one of
Oregon's many natural treasures. The Crater Lake image for the
Oregon quarter is a symbol that perfectly captures the natural
beauty of Oregon and the spirit of its people, from ancient
times to today."
The ceremony included remarks by Edwards and Tim Riley, the
Mint's Denver plant manager, a ceremonial striking of the Oregon
quarter, and tour of the Denver plant.
Along with Edwards and Lundy, other attendees included some
members of the Oregon Commemorative Coin Commission and state
Rep. George Gilman, whose District 55 includes the park.
The official launch of the Oregon quarter will be Wednesday,
June 15, at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. Formal
ceremonies will run from at 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. followed by
a block party and quarter exchange will follow from 12:45 to
2:30 p.m. The festivities include free ice cream, entertainment,
a free quarter for kids younger than 18, and an opportunity to
buy uncirculated rolls of Oregon quarters.
Various local organizations are planning projects to distribute
the quarters once they become available.
For more information, visit
www.traveloregon.com/oregonquarter/event.
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