Nevada's state quarter in the works

The process of designing and creating Nevada's entry in the U.S. Mint 50 State Quarter Program began this week.

"I think it will be a tremendous challenge to take the diversity of Nevada and condense it into the size of a quarter," said State Treasurer Brian Krolicki. "But I know Nevadans are up to the challenge and I'm looking forward to creating a coin that represents the rich history of our great state."

The coins are being produced in the order the states ratified the Constitution and joined the union. As the 36th state, Nevada's quarter will be released in January 2006.

Krolicki is chairman of a 16-member advisory group charged with assisting in creation of the state quarter. The group held its first meeting Wednesday.

The rules prohibit using any individual's face, as well as any commercial, educational, religious or other logo or depiction. States are encouraged to "submit designs that promote the diffusion of knowledge among the youth of the United States about the state, its history and geography and the rich diversity of our national heritage."

The mint won't accept coin designs, however. Instead, it will accept "ideas or themes," including a design element for the coin and a brief description of how it is significant in Nevada's history.

The mint's artists and engravers will then take those ideas and create three to five different coins.

The state's advisory committee will select one of those designs sometime in early 2005.

For details, including how to submit a design idea, go to the treasurer's office at NevadaTreasurer.com and follow the link to "Other Programs."

In addition to Krolicki, the members of the advisory panel are:

Jill Berryman of Sierra Arts, Bill Bible of the Nevada Resort Association, Phil Carlino of the Las Vegas Numismatic Society, Bud Cranor of the Henderson Mayor's Office, former Assembly Speaker Joe Dini of Yerington, former Legislative Counsel Bureau research director Bob Erickson, Nevada Mining Association director Russ Fields, Gov. Kenny Guinn's Chief of Staff Mike Hillerby, Washoe County teacher Carol Hines, Sherrada James of the Nevada Indian Commission, Ret. Army Col. Phillip Kinney, Bob Nylen of the Nevada State Museum, preservation consultant Mimi Rodden, Las Vegas high school student Phillip Steward, Bob Stoldal of KLAS-TV in Las Vegas and Tony Timmons of Cox Communications.

On the Net:

What: Design Nevada's 50 State Quarter

Where: Nevada Treasurer's Web site

www.nevadatreasurer.com

click on Other Programs link