On the eve of the April 7 launch of the Nebraska state quarter, a collector?s forum was held in Lincoln to talk about issues related to the U.S. Mint and the hobby.
David Lebryk, as Acting Director of the U.S. Mint, conducted the session. On April 18, Lebryk?s official title reverted to Deputy Director, in accordance with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. Lebryk?s responsibilities as senior official in charge of the agency will remain the same.
The forum touched on a number of subjects, including coin redesign. He told the 25 people who attended the session that the Presidential $1 coin program had been handed over to Artistic Infusion Program artists.
In response to questions about the Sacagawea Golden Dollar, Lebryk said it will not be discontinued. Legislation authorizing the Presidential $1 coins requires that one-third of those coins issued must by Sacagawea Golden Dollars.
The Mint?s inventory of Golden Dollars is 350 million to 500 million. Lebryk said he hoped to see more of them in circulation, due to the Presidential $1 legislation.
Lebryk also said mentioned that the 2009 cent will feature four renditions of Abraham Lincoln on the reverse.
Regarding the Mint?s finances, Lebryk reported that the agency contributed $775 million to the Treasury General Fund in 2005.
With regard to future themes, audience members suggested a number of proposals, including a quarter dollar series with the branches of the military; continuing the state quarters with the U.S. Territories; and series dedicated to the nation?s founding fathers, Civil War and influential periods in history.
Other proposals included the production of bi-metallic coins and the inclusion of old classic coin designs on newer coins.
