November 17, 2005



Dear ANA Member:



On behalf of the American Numismatic Association and American Money and Gold Rush Museum (AMGRM), thank you for the support you have given AMGRM in the past. Through your generosity and hard work, we have been able to reach our goal of more than 290 House supporters of the “San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coin Act” (HR1953), which has passed in Congress! The next step is obtaining Senate support for the bill. The Senate version of the bill (S.1881) was introduced on October 18, 2005 and currently is garnering supporters. In order to have the bill brought before the Senate for vote, we need the support of 67 Senators.



Passage of S. 1881 will provide for the minting of a commemorative coin; proceeds from this coin will help support AMGRM, to be located in the Old Mint building in San Francisco in conjunction with the San Francisco Historical Society Museum. This exciting new museum will be a national showcase of American numismatic history that will educate individuals of all ages about the story and concept of money, from the beginnings of a barter economy, the impact of the California gold rush, to how coins were minted. Each exhibit will offer visitors a glimpse into the social and cultural history of the time period they represent using state-of-the-art displays and interactive exhibits.



To accomplish this goal, we again need your help. Please contact your Senators and ask them to support Senate Bill 1881. You can use these talking points:



* Urge Senators to co-sponsor this important bill that would authorize the U.S. Mint to issue a commemorative coin that will honor the San Francisco Old Mint and help restore this historic building in downtown San Francisco.



* The Bill would authorize the minting and issuing of 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins emblematic of the San Francisco Old Mint Building and its importance to California and the West, as well as the entire economy of the United States.





* The San Francisco Old Mint is venerated by coin collectors, Californians, and millions of Americans as a national treasure and is an important historic preservation project.



* Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the building's survival of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.



* No other mint has been commemorated and because issuance of these coins would make a vital contribution to preserving this national treasure, the San Francisco Old Mint merits commemoration at this time.



You could also ask your friends, relatives, coworkers, etc. to contact their Senators too. Please visit www.money.org to obtain more information about AMGRM, including form letters, links and helpful tools that can assist you in contacting your Senator.



Once again thank you for your help in preserving American numismatics. Please contact me with any questions.



Regards,

Christopher Cipoletti

Executive Director

I got that too...

Why do I get the feeling that these commems, if authorized, will be minted in Philidelphia?

Outrageous