The silver ingot that will become NV150 commemorative coins now on display at Nevada State Museum.
Visitors to the Nevada State Museum can catch a glimpse of a 1,000-ounce bar of silver mined from 4,000 tons of Nevada ore.
The museum, the site of the historic U.S. Mint, still operates the original Coin Press No. 1 on the last Friday of each month. When the bar is melted into 1,000 1-ounce round medallions, the press will stamp commemorative coins with the “CC” mint mark, honoring the state’s sesquicentennial. The coins will be distributed on Nevada Day, Oct. 26.
On May 1, Gov. Brian Sandoval and Lt. Gov. 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 1 foot long and 6 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 Sept. 1. The museum, at 600 N. Carson St., 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.
