CARSON CITY, Nev. — Sharp-skilled coin dealers will buy, sell, trade and offer their expertise with free appraisals at the Carson City Mint Coin Show and Fair, Aug. 22-23 at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. in Carson City. Hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 22 and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 23. The fair includes activities for children, prize drawings, lectures, coin sales and free appraisals with admission.
As the site of a former U.S. Mint, the museum has a long history in coins. Guests are invited to share the heritage or visit workshops about the mint, Civil War tokens, coin grading and more, according to Jim Barmore, museum director. The museum’s new exhibit, “Finding Fremont: Pathfinder of the West,” is included in admission to the event. “Finding Fremont” is part of the state-wide celebration marking Nevada’s admission into the Union 150 years ago.
“We are so excited to have the Fremont exhibit in celebration of Nevada’s Sesquicentennial,” Barmore said. “We will also be minting special John C. Fremont commemorative medallions on the original historic Coin Press No. 1 at the museum.”
Dealers will be at the Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson St., where rarities and famous coins that circulate the country will be shown and sold.
The 2014 show and fair also offers mine tours, a rock and mineral lab, a treasure chest of foreign coins for children and stories of the first coins of the Americas.
The annual raffle supports programs of the museum throughout the year. Grand prize for 2014 is a custom-made knife valued at $1,000 and donated by John and Becky Etten. Designed by master Navajo silversmith David Yellowhorse especially for the event, it will be awarded at 3 p.m. Aug. 23.
“We sell the $1 tickets in advance, even by mail, and people donate some great stuff,” Barmore said. “This year we have coin watches, Morgan silver dollars, a peace dollar and other rare collectibles.”
More than $4,000 in prizes will be awarded.
Admission is $4, and one ticket will admit guests to both sites for one day. The event is free to museum members and those ages 17 and younger. Minimum $10 raffle ticket orders can be sent to Deborah Stevenson, Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701. Winners need not be present to win, so contact information is important. Details: Deborah Stevenson, 775-687-4810, ext. 237 or [email protected].
