Fund-raising will be on the minds of persons attending the ceremonial ground-breaking for the San Francisco Museum at the Old Mint, at Fifth and Mission Streets at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.
An 1891-S gold $20 graded Professional Coin Grading Service MS-62 has been donated by Don Kagin. It is to be sold at auction to aid in the money raising.
The double eagle was the largest circulation issue struck at the San Francisco Mint; these large gold coins were struck in San Francisco from the only three years before the United States halted the production of all gold coins.
The auction will feature celebrity auctioneers.
Other auction items will include Sidney Mobell jewelry, a 22-seat box for a Giants’ baseball game at SBC Park, a weeklong stay at an elegant villa in Huatulco, Mexico (including airfare), vintage wines and many other items.
Proceeds from the ground-breaking event will benefit the non-profit San Francisco Museum and Historical Society.
Constructed in the Greek Revival style, the 130-year-old “Granite Lady” will house a museum that celebrates the City’s past, present and future.
The conversion of the Old Mint into a museum is a $55 million project.
Plans call for the building to include a Gold Rush and coin museum, a high-end restaurant and a destination center for tourists.
The organization’s initial vision statement for the project was released on Sept. 19 for commentary from the general public. It will be available on the Web site, www.sfhistory.org, or in hard copy in San Francisco libraries.
A special committee, headed by Michael Heyman, former chancellor of University of California-Berkeley and former secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, will review the feedback.
The ground-breaking is expected to include former mayors and national political leaders. Mayor Gavin Newsom will preside.
The ground-breaking will be followed by a dance featuring the Richard Olsen Orchestra.
For tickets to the ground-breaking event, call (415) 775-1111, e-mail info@sfhistory.org, or visit www.sfhistory.org.
