NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS NEWS RELEASE CARSON CITY – A 1,000 ounce bar of silver mined from 4,000 tons of Nevada ore is a rarity by far, but visitors to the Nevada State Museum in Carson City can catch a glimpse of the spectacular ingot now on display in preparation for the state’s 150th birthday party.
Site of the historic U.S. Mint, the museum still operates the original Coin Press No. 1 on the last Friday of each month. When the bar is melted into 1000 1-ounce round medallions, the celebrated press will stamp commemorative editions, with the “CC” mint mark, honoring the state’s sesquicentennial which is Nevada Day, 2014.
On May 1, Governor Brian Sandoval and Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki accepted the donation of the silver bar from Coeur Rochester mining officials. The mine near Lovelock has produced more than 130 million ounces of silver over 27 years including the donated bar that is one foot long and six inches deep and weighs more than 60 pounds.
The Northwest Territory Mint in Dayton will melt the ingot to produce the medallions. Sales will help fund the NV150 events and the price will be determined by the commission that oversees them.
Nevada’s birthday exhibit runs through September 1. The museum is at 600 N. Carson St. and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults. Visitors 17 and younger and members get in free. For more information call 775-687-4810 or Nevada State Museums on Facebook.
